[Association of psychosocial factors and platelet 5-HT with peptic ulcer].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To scrutinize the association of psychosocial factors especially emotional factors with peptic ulcer.

METHODS:

Eighty-nine peptic ulcer patients and 50 normal controls were investigated by means of questionnaires for personality, alexithymia, social support, life events, and their platelet 5-HT levels were determined.

RESULTS:

By comparison with normal controls, the peptic ulcer patients had: (1) higher scores on the subscales such as Hs, D, Pt, Sc and Hy of personality; (2) Higher scores on HAMA, HAMD and Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS); (3) Significantly lower platelet 5-HT concentration. And in the ulcer patients who were not infected with HP (called HP negative), the area of their ulcer was found to have a positive correlation with HAMA and TAS scores (r=0.74, P<0.01; r=0.45, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION:

(1) There was a correlation between the onset of peptic ulcer and personality or manner of emotional expression. (2) There may be two subtypes of ulcer patients: one of it may be due to HP infection and the other may be more closely associated with negative emotion and manner of emotional expression; for the latter one, anxiolytics deserve to be included in the routine treatments.

• Authors: Xue-li Sun, Yi-ping Wang, Tao-sheng Liu, Jun-chao Wu, Qiu-hua Luo
• Journal: Sichuan da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Sichuan University. Medical science edition (Sichuan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban) Vol. 35 Issue 6 Pg. 815-7 (Nov 2004) ISSN: 1672-173X [Print] China
• PMID: 15573762 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Serotonin

Topics

• Adaptation, Psychological
• Adult
• Blood Platelets (metabolism)
• Emotions
• Female
• Humans
• Life Change Events
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Peptic Ulcer (blood, psychology)
• Personality Inventory
• Serotonin (blood)
• Social Support