[Psychiatric features of patients with duodenal ulcer at various stages of the disease].

AIM: To examine patients with duodenal ulcer (DU) at different stages of the disease for psychic alterations.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Psychodiagnostic techniques were employed in examination of 192 patients with DU (81 new cases of the disease, 88 cases of recurrent exacerbations, 23 cases with persistent remission for 2 years and longer). Control group consisted of 73 patients without gastrointestinal complaints.

RESULTS

Abnormal psychic adaptation was found in 73.3% patients with DU exacerbation, in 47.8% patients in remission and 41.1% controls. Hypochondriac condition and non-adaptation were diagnosed in new cases of DU and recurrent exacerbations with the same frequency. The former had more frequently mixed attitude to the disease and mixed psychopathological syndromes. Psychic compensation rests on information about DU and its prevention which patients receive from the doctor, so these patients benefit much from communication with the physician. Observation over the patient's behavior during such communication allows the doctor to reveal anxiety and depression. Such patients should be referred to consult psychotherapist or psychiatrist.

CONCLUSION

Psychic non-adaptation accompanying development of DU manifests with different clinical symptoms at different DU stages. Diagnosis of mental condition of DU patients is important for the choice of individual treatment approach.