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The effect of psychological stress on symptom severity and perception in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux
- Source :
-
Journal of Psychosomatic Research . Dec2005, Vol. 59 Issue 6, p415-424. 10p. - Publication Year :
- 2005
-
Abstract
- Abstract: Objective: Using an experimental paradigm this investigation explored whether exposure to psychological stress would produce a significant increase in acid-reflux episodes or modify subjective perceptions of gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) symptoms. Methods: Forty-two patients presenting with heartburn and acid regurgitation underwent 24-h oesophageal pH monitoring. During the last 90 min of this monitoring period, 21 patients received a psychological stressor, while the remaining participants were randomly assigned to a no-stress control condition. State anxiety and subjective GOR symptom ratings were obtained 1 min pretest, 1 min posttest, and 40 min posttest. Cortisol samples were collected at 10-min intervals. Results: The stressor induced a significant increase in cortisol and state anxiety; however, this was not associated with any increase in reflux. Instead, the experimental group reported a dissociation between objectively measured reflux episodes and subjective symptom ratings. A similar pattern was established for participants who reported greater state anxiety, produced larger cortisol responses, or exhibited certain stress-related personality characteristics. Conclusion: The perception of symptoms in the absence of increased reflux when one is stressed may account for low response rates to traditional treatments. This highlights a need to bridge the gap between psychosomatic research and clinical practice to develop more successful GOR therapies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Subjects :
- *PSYCHOLOGICAL stress
*HYDROCORTISONE
*GASTROESOPHAGEAL reflux
*CLINICAL medicine
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00223999
- Volume :
- 59
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Psychosomatic Research
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 19062005
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2005.05.012