Psychological Characteristics and Quality of Life of Patients with Upper and Lower Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Abstract

Introduction According to the psychodynamic hypothesis in FGIDs, as well, UGIDs such as functional heartburn (FH) and functional dyspepsia (FD) are often a consequence of receiving inadequate nutrition from one’s mother during childhood, which leads to a failure to adapt to eating. Meanwhile, lower GI disorders such as IBS and functional constipation are generally accompanied by avoidant defense mechanisms and obsessive compulsive disorder. Objectives This study aimed to identify the differences in the psychological characteristics of the anatomical location of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and the factors that influence the quality of life (QOL). Methods Altogether, 233 patients who were diagnosed with FGIDs were classified into the upper gastrointestinal disorder (UGID; n=175) group and the lower gastrointestinal disorder group (LGID; n=58). Psychological characteristics were identified using the Korean version of the Beck Depression Inventory 2nd ed.; Korean version of the Beck Anxiety Inventory; Korean version of Childhood Trauma Questionnaire; Multi-dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support; Korean version of Type-D Personality Scale-14; and Korean version of the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale. QOL was evaluated using the World Health Organization Quality of Life - Brief Version. Results The UGID group demonstrated higher scores in ‘emotional’ than the LGID group. (t=-3.031, p<.01) A significant difference was observed between groups in ‘significant others’. (t=2.254, p<.05) Significant differences were observed between the groups in hardiness (t=2.259, p<.05) and persistence (t=2.526, p<.05), while the LGID group demonstrated significantly lower scores than the UGID group in ‘negative affectivity’. (t=-1.997, p<.05) Additionally, the LGID group demonstrated lower QOL than the UGID group. (t=2.615, p<.05) The stepwise regression analysis on OQL involved depression, resilience, social support, and childhood trauma, which accounted for 48.4% of the total quality of life explanatory variance Conclusions Psychological characteristics and QOL significantly differed when FGIDs were classified according to anatomical location. Thus, psychological interventions customized for each type of FGIDs may be necessary for effective treatment. Disclosure of Interest None Declared