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Psychological Factors in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Measured by SCL-90-R Questionnaire

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Abstract

Background An association between psychological factors and gastroesophageal reflux disease has been recognized. Psychological distress can influence the outcomes of the disease. Aims To determine the existence of psychological factors in our gastroesophageal reflux disease sample, as well as determine their influence on the outcome of the disease and treatment response. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed from February 2006 to December 2007. Patients referred to gastrointestinal specialists who reported symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux were asked to fill out the SCL-90-R questionnaire. All underwent endoscopy and pH-metry studies. Results Fifty-five patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease were analyzed. Subjects with reflux symptoms had higher scores compared to healthy controls on sommatization, obsessiveness, interpersonal sensitivity, being phobic, being psychotic, and the global index (P < 0.05). Patients with high frequency of symptoms and long duration of disease have increased psychological distress. There was no relationship among pH-metry results, endoscopy findings, and SCL-90-R scores. Conclusions Psychosocial factors can predispose to gastroesophageal reflux disease. The SCL-90-R questionnaire can be useful in investigating psychological factors in those patients with unsuccessful outcome of the symptoms despite correct management.

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Abbreviations

GERD:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

H2Ras:

H2 receptor antagonists

PPIs:

Proton pump inhibitors

SCL-90-R:

Symptom CheckList-90-R

SOM:

Somatization

MOD SOM:

Modified somatization

O-C:

Obsessive–compulsive behavior

I-S:

Interpersonal sensitivity

DEP:

Depression

ANX:

Anxiety

HOS:

Hostility

PHOB:

Phobic anxiety

PAR:

Paranoia ideation

PSY:

Psychoticism

GSI:

Global severity index

PSDI:

Positive symptom distress index

PST:

Positive symptom total

GHQ-28:

General Health Questionnaire

FGID:

Functional gastrointestinal disorders

M:

Median

IQR:

Interquartile range

SD:

Standard deviation

SIG:

Significance

NS:

Non significance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gastroenterology Department, Complejo Asistencial de Palencia, Palencia, Spain

    Ma Henar Núñez-Rodríguez

  2. Psychiatric Department, Complejo Asistencial de Palencia, Palencia, Spain

    Alberto Miranda Sivelo

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  1. Ma Henar Núñez-Rodríguez
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  2. Alberto Miranda Sivelo
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Correspondence to Ma Henar Núñez-Rodríguez.

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Núñez-Rodríguez, M.H., Miranda Sivelo, A. Psychological Factors in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Measured by SCL-90-R Questionnaire. Dig Dis Sci 53, 3071–3075 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-008-0276-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-008-0276-0

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