Peptic Ulcer Linked to Anxiety Disorder

(HealthScoutNews) -- Peptic ulcer disease and generalized anxiety disorder may have a common psychiatric/psychological link.

So says a study in the November/December issue of Psychosomatic Medicine.

American researchers found that generalized anxiety disorder was associated with a greatly increased risk of self-reported peptic ulcer disease.

The study also found that people with generalized anxiety disorder who reported more anxiety symptoms were more likely to report they had peptic ulcer disease. The actual mechanism behind the link is unclear.

The researchers made the link after they analyzed data from the National Comorbidity Survey, which is a household survey of Americans aged 15 to 54.

Between 3 percent and 4 per cent of Americans have generalized anxiety disorder. Unremitting worry, lack of energy and a sense of dread are among the symptoms.

A peptic ulcer is a noncancerous sore on the wall of the stomach or the intestine.

Research in recent years indicates that infectious Helicobacter pylori bacteria causes peptic ulcers.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about peptic ulcer disease.

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