Health Citizens – European Research Institute

Tag: Dyspepsia

  • Helicobacter Pylori and Psychiatric Disorders: Comorbidity and Therapeutic Perspectives

    Helicobacter Pylori and Psychiatric Disorders: Comorbidity and Therapeutic Perspectives

    This 2023 observational study, conducted over three consecutive years in a psychiatric clinic, followed adults receiving outpatient psychiatric care for different psychiatric disorders.

    Of those patients, 291 had depression that did not respond to treatment, persistent iron deficiency, or digestive complaints, and were tested for the presence of Helicobacter pylori. After confirming the infection and treating it, most patients also received iron and vitamins B9 and B12 when needed.

    The results were striking: 74% of H. pylori–positive patients who continued psychiatric follow-up reported improvement after treatment. They experienced reductions in symptoms such as apathy, loss of pleasure, anxiety, sadness, cognitive problems, derealization, and sleep disturbances.

    Although these benefits may be linked to several biological mechanisms, including reduced brain inflammation and changes in how tryptophan is metabolized, as well as the removal of toxins produced by the bacteria the researchers suggest that screening and treating H. pylori infection may meaningfully support psychiatric care in selected patients.

    Learn more about this study here: https://www.scientificliterature.org/Anxiety/Anxiety-23-136.pdf

    Reference

    Kassir Adel and Kassir Sarah. Helicobacter Pylori and Psychiatric Disorders: Comorbidity and Therapeutic Perspectives. Anxiety And Depression Journal. 2023; 4(1):136

  • Helicobacter Pylori Associated Depression among Patients Presenting with Epigastric Pain

    Helicobacter Pylori Associated Depression among Patients Presenting with Epigastric Pain

    Helicobacter pylori infection is an extremely prevalent infection that has been connected not only to a number of illnesses such as stomach cancer and peptic ulcer disease. H. pylori has also been linked to depression but the mechanisms behind this connection are still poorly understood.

    A research study by Mohamed and colleagues aimed to better explore this relation by assessing the presence and severity of depression in 150 patients with or without H. pylori infection.

    When comparing both groups, the authors found that H. pylori infection was significantly associated with depression and, more interestingly, with its severity. These findings point to the importance of assessing the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms or dyspepsia in patients with depression.

    Learn more about this study here: https://healthcitizens.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Mohamed-and-Elrassas_Helicobacter-Pylori-.pdf

    Reference

    Dina M. Mohamed and Hanan Elrassas, “Helicobacter Pylori Associated Depression among Patients Presenting with Epigastric Pain”, The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine (January 2023) Vol. 90 (2), Page 2315-2320

  • Depression among people with dyspepsia and H. pylori infection: A community based cross-sectional study in Ethiopia

    Depression among people with dyspepsia and H. pylori infection: A community based cross-sectional study in Ethiopia

    A 2022 community-based study in southwest Ethiopia explored potential links between Helicobacter pylori infection, dyspepsia, and depression in residents aged 13 years and older.

    Among the 871 participants – most of whom were married, had no formal education, and lived in rural areas – around 11% showed signs of probable depression. The prevalence was slightly higher (13%) among those experiencing at least one symptom of dyspepsia. Interestingly, in this study, H. pylori infection alone was not linked to higher depression rates, nor were age or gender.

    The findings suggest digestive symptoms may increase the risk of depression, highlighting the importance of addressing both mental and gut health when managing gastrointestinal symptoms.

    Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275424

    Reference

    Soboka, M., Gudina, E. K., Gashaw, M., Amare, H., Berhane, M., Desalegn, H., Tewolde, D., Jebena, M. G., Ali, S., Wieser, A., Froeschl, G., & Tesfaye, M. (2022). Depression among people with dyspepsia and H. pylori infection: A community based cross-sectional study in Ethiopia. PloS one, 17(10), e0275424.