A depressive disorder in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and non-ulcer dyspepsia

The relationships between psychiatric disorders and the symptoms of both irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) are herein investigated and discussed. Functional disorders of the small and large intestine induce irritable bowel syndrome. NUD is a syndrome that displays symptoms that might originate in the upper digestive system despite the absence of any organic disorder. In addition, it has also been suggested that the occurrence of NUD is based on a functional disorder of the upper digestive systems. Based on our studies of serious cases with both NUD and IBS, in approximately 50% of the NUD patients as well as about 50% of the IBS cases, a depressive disorder was found to be most closely related to the onset and continuance of the symptoms of either NUD or IBS. According to the evaluations of NUD and IBS as functional disorders and psychiatric disorders, the patients underwent treatment and all demonstrated a good response to the various treatment regimens. It is thus considered that NUD and IBS should be evaluated as both functional digestive disorders and psychiatric disorders.