Unraveling the anxiety-gastritis connection: A population-based real-world clinical investigation.

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have identified a potential association between anxiety and gastritis, attracting widespread interest in recent years. However, empirical research examining the bidirectional relationship between anxiety and gastritis using a large-scale, real-world population is limited.

METHODS

Using a bidirectional cohort design with 502,357 UK Biobank (UKB) participants, multivariable logistic regression was conducted to evaluate the association between anxiety and gastritis. Additionally, Cox proportional hazards models were employed to evaluate temporal risk patterns, while receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to assess predictive performance. Lastly, Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to evaluate survival differences, adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and socioeconomic covariates.

RESULTS

Anxiety disorders were independently associated with an increased risk of gastritis in both logistic regression (adjusted OR = 1.35, 95 % CI: 1.30-1.39) and Cox models (adjusted HR = 1.51, 95 % CI: 1.46-1.57). Moreover, patients with gastritis exhibited a twofold increased risk of anxiety (adjusted HR = 2.21, 95 % CI: 2.14-2.29), validating a bidirectional causality between anxiety disorders and gastritis.

CONCLUSION

This large-scale bidirectional cohort study demonstrated a reciprocal association between anxiety and gastritis. Clinically, integrated psychosomatic care is warranted during the critical post-diagnosis window for both anxiety and gastritis.