Abstract
| Subthreshold Psychiatric Psychopathology in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: Can It Be the Bridge between Gastroenterology and Psychiatry? Stasi C1, Nisita C2, Cortopassi S2, Corretti G3, Gambaccini D4, De Bortoli N4, Fani B4, Simonetti N4, Ricchiuti A4, Dell'Osso L2, Marchi S4, Bellini M4. Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2017;2017:1953435. doi: 10.1155/2017/1953435. Epub 2017 Oct 30. |
| Author information 1 Internal Medicine and Liver Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy. 2 Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. 3 Functional Mental Health Unit of Adults-Northwest Tuscany Local Health Unit of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. 4 Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGDs) are multifactorial disorders of the gut-brain interaction. This study investigated the prevalence of Axis I and spectrum disorders in patients with FGD and established the link between FGDs and psychopathological dimensions. METHODS: A total of 135 consecutive patients with FGD were enrolled. The symptoms' severity was evaluated using questionnaires, while the psychiatric evaluation by clinical interviews established the presence/absence of mental (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-4th edition, Axis I Diagnosis) or spectrum disorders. RESULTS: Of the 135 patients, 42 (32.3%) had functional dyspepsia, 52 (40.0%) had irritable bowel syndrome, 21 (16.2%) had functional bloating, and 20 (15.4%) had functional constipation. At least one psychiatric disorder was present in 46.9% of the patients, while a suprathreshold panic spectrum was present in 26.2%. Functional constipation was associated with depressive disorders (p < 0.05), while functional dyspepsia was related to the current major depressive episode (p < 0.05). Obsessive-compulsive spectrum was correlated with the presence of functional constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of subthreshold psychiatric symptomatology in patients with FGD, which is likely to influence the expression of gastrointestinal symptoms, suggested the usefulness of psychological evaluation in patients with FGDs |
© Copyright 2013-2025 GI Health Foundation. All rights reserved.
This site is maintained as an educational resource for US healthcare providers only.
Use of this website is governed by the GIHF terms of use and privacy statement.
