Peculiarities of the psychic state and quality of life in patients with duodenal ulcer in the context of chronomedicine
Most clinicians consider duodenum ulcer as a psychosomatic disease. Objective: To show the interdependence of this condition and mental disorders and their relation to disturbances of melatonin production. Materials and Methods: 15 patients with seasonal DU and 15 healthy subjects of the control group were examined during 3 years using laboratory, endoscopic, and standard psychodiagnostic methods. Results. It was found that all patients with exacerbation of DU experienced enhanced anxiety, reduced background mood, and impaired quality of life based on general health and mental health scoring scales. The circadian rhythm of melatonin production was markedly distorted throughout the observation period but especially during exacerbations of the disease. Conclusions. The results indicate a high degree of correlation between DU and mental disorders caused by impaired production of melatonin. It suggests common etiological mechanisms of DU and psychosomatic symptom complex.