Psychopathological Characteristics in Patients with Digestive Problems: A Comparative Analysis with a Healthy Control Group

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the psychopathological characteristics of patients with digestive (gastrointestinal) problems with those of a healthy control group. Methods: A total of 70 patients with gastrointestinal issues were referred to the gastroenterology department, and 70 healthy individuals were included in the study. Both groups completed the 90-question mental health questionnaire (SCL-90-R). Results: The results demonstrated significantly higher average scores in the patients' group across various scales, including depression, aggression, somatization, sensitivity in social relationships, obsession, anxiety, phobia, and psychotic symptoms. Overall, the group with digestive problems exhibited more symptoms associated with these eight mental disorders than the healthy control group. However, there were no notable differences between the two groups, except for the presence of paranoid ideations as a distinguishing characteristic. Conclusions: This research unequivocally establishes a strong association between gastrointestinal issues and mental well-being, highlighting the influence of digestive system functioning on mental health. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the psychopathological aspects related to gastrointestinal conditions.