comparison of stress profiles among individuals with and without functional dyspepsia

Background: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is defined as the presence of dyspeptic symptoms in the absence of an organic cause that readily explains them. Life stressors, individuals’ perceptions, their coping responses, and social supports are linked and can affect the well-being of individuals. The aim of the current study was to assess the relationship between FD and life stressors, coping strategies, and social support.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study conducted in Isfahan Province, Iran, in 2013, the employees of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, were evaluated. Symptoms of FD were measured using the modified ROME III questionnaire. The Stressful Life Event (SLE) Questionnaire, modified COPE scale, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were used for assessing life stressors, coping strategies, and social support. Logistic regression analysis was applied to assess the crude and adjusted effects of each variable on FD.

Results: About 55.8% of participants were women and 79.3% were married. In total, 723 (15.2%) participants had FD, 457 (63.2%) of whom were women. The mean scores of perceived intensity and frequencies of all life stressors were significantly higher in patients with FD (P < 0.05). In addition, the mean score of social support in patients with FD was significantly lower (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that the frequency of stressors and perceived intensity of stressors were significantly associated with FD (OR = 1.08 and 1.025, respectively). Moreover, the acceptance coping strategy had a significant relationship with FD (OR = 0.85, 95% CI, 0.75-0.95). Among the socio-demographic factors, sex (OR = 1.65, 95% CI, 1.3-2.1) and education (OR = 0.6, 95% CI, 0.5-0.8) demonstrated significant relationships with FD.

Conclusions: FD was more common in those individuals who had a higher rate of stressors and lower social support.