Articles Tập 67 Số CĐ16 02/11/2026

CLINICAL FEATURES OF GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOMS AMONG PATIENTS WITH MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER AT THE INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH, BACH MAI HOSPITAL

Nguyen Hai Quynh, Duong Minh Tam
DOI: 10.52163/yhc.v67iCD16.6934
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Abstract

 

Objectives: To describe the characteristics of gastrointestinal tract symptoms in patients with a depressive episode.

Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 250 patients diagnosed with a depressive episode at the Institute of Mental Health, Bach Mai Hospital.

Results: The most common symptoms among patients with depression included loss of energy (98.8%) and loss of interest (98%), followed by anxiety symptoms (91.6%). Psychotic and suicidal symptoms were less frequent, accounting for 17.2% and 29.6%, respectively. The prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in female patients with a depressive episode (87.5%) was higher than in males (75,6%), and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.014). Abdominal pain syndrome was the most prevalent in the study group (62.8%), affecting 32.5% of males and 61.1% of females. Gender differences regarding reflux, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, and diarrhea syndromes were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). However, the prevalence of constipation syndrome was significantly higher in females (25.1%) compared to males (11%) (p = 0.009). The rate of gastrointestinal symptoms was highest in the age group ≥ 60 (29%), showing a statistically significant difference among age groups (p = 0.016).

Conclusions: Gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with depression are more common in females than in males. The most common age group is ≥ 60 years. Loss of energy and loss of interest are the most common psychiatric symptoms. Abdominal pain and dyspepsia are the most prevalent gastrointestinal syndromes among depressed patients presenting with concurrent prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms.

Keywords
Depression, gastrointestinal symptom, constipation, gastroesophageal reflux, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, pyrosis, sour eructation, eructation.
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