The clinical-psychological features of functional dyspepsia patients with weight loss: a multi-center study from China.

AIMS: To investigate the clinical features, appetite, quality of life (QOL), and their associated psychological factors of functional dyspepsia (FD) patients with weight loss.

METHODS

For a multicenter study, FD patients were recruited and divided into two groups according to the degree of weight changes during the previous 12 months or less with the onset of dyspepsia symptoms: Group A (≥5%) and Group B (<5%). Patients were evaluated based on the Nepean dyspepsia index (NDI), appetite questionnaire, Hamilton Rating Scale of Anxiety/Depression (HAMA/HAMD).

RESULTS

The body mass index in Group A was lower than in Group B, while, the frequency of physician visits in Group A was higher than in Group B. There were no differences in the total scores of NDI-symptom checklist or the items of intensity and bothersomeness between them (p > 0.05), but the frequency item for Group A was significantly higher than Group B (p = 0.035). The incidence of anxiety or depression, the proportion of poor or very poor appetite for Group A was higher than those for Group B (p < 0.05). Subscale scores of the NDI-QOL for Group A were significantly lower than those for Group B (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

FD patients with weight loss have lower BMI, more frequent physician visits, higher psychological disorders, poorer appetite and QoL.