Psychological distress in duodenal ulcer and acute gastroduodenitis. A controlled study

The aim of the study was to assess psychological distress in duodenal ulcer (DU) and acute gastroduodenitis (AGD). Sixty-one consecutive, unselective patients (DU = 25; AGD = 36) were compared with their respective controls matched for age, sex, level of formal education, and social class. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kellner-Sheffield Symptom Rating Test. In order to reduce to the minimum the possible effects of the duration of the symptoms and awareness of the diagnosis, the study was carried out before diagnosis on subjects whose symptoms were of recent onset. The DU and AGD patients had higher mean scores than the controls for neuroticism and anxiety; moreover the mean scores for depression and somatization of the AGD patients were also higher than those of the controls. On the basis of these data, the authors discuss the possibility that gastroduodenitis might be an independent entity or part of the spectrum of acid peptic (ulcer) disease.