Distinct Associations Between Depression Status and Initial Phase of Gastric Emptying in Functional Dyspepsia and Healthy Volunteers

Abstract

Background/Aims: The association between initial phase of gastric emptying and clinical symptoms and depression status in functional dyspepsia has not been studied in detail. Methods: The subjects were 20 patients with Rome III-based functional dyspepsia and healthy volunteers. We evaluated upper abdominal symptoms using GDSS score and used Self-Rating Questionnaire for Depression (SRQ-D) scores to determine depression status. Gastric motility was evaluated with the 13 C-acetate breath test. Results: AUC 15 value as initial gastric emptying within 15 mins in FD patients was significantly higher compared to that in healthy volunteers. T max value as a marker of delayed gastric emptying in FD patients was also significantly higher compared to that in healthy volunteers. There were not significant relationships between clinical symptoms and AUC 5 and AUC 15 values in FD patients and healthy volunteers. In contrast, there were significant correlations (p=0.047, p=0.049) between SRQ-D score and AUC 5 and AUC 15 values in healthy volunteers, albeit there were not significant correlations in FD patients. Conclusions: Impairment of AUC 15 or AUC 15 /AUC inf as well as delayed gastric emptying would play important roles in functional dyspepsia. Further studies are necessary to clarify whether various clinical symptoms and depression status are related to initial gastric emptying at postprandial 15 mins phase.