Rôle of psychosomatic factors in peptic ulcer disease

Evidence indicates that a link between peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and selected psychosomatic factors may exist. A series of 70 consecutive male and female adult patients were categorized by peptic symptoms and divided into four groups: a) controls; b) gastric ulcer (GU); c) duodenal ulcer (DU); and d) chronic non-ulcer dyspepsia (CNUD). All patients were interviewed and asked to answer a questionnaire that included demographics, medical history and the incidence of negative life events. A decreased level of activity was a predominant finding in GU, DU and CNUD patients. Family history of PUD may be correlated with CNUD. Of interest was the finding that DU and CNUD patients presented a higher incidence of negative life events when compared to the other study groups. Negative life events that produce considerable stress may predispose to peptic symptoms in certain patients.