Evidence shows an influence relationship between described symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) and emotional state.

The current study aimed to evaluate the relationship between anxiety and depression with GERD in the patients referred to the endoscopy unit of Bouali-Sina hospital of Qazvin.

Two hundred individuals (100 patients with GERD and 100 healthy individuals as control group) were enrolled into the current study. All subjects completed the hospital anxiety and depression questionnaire. GERD was diagnosed based on Los Angeles classification system. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics in addition to clinical history of subjects were collected and analyzed using proper statistical methods.

Among the recruited patients, 50 subjects had erosive esophagitis (ERD) and 50 had non-erosive esophagitis (NERD). The anxiety score was significantly higher in the NERD group than ERD and control groups (P<0.001; P=0.017). In addition, the anxiety score was significantly higher in the ERD group than the control group (P=0.014). The score of depression was higher in NERD group than ERD and the control groups, but not significant regarding the ERD group (P<0.001). There was no significant difference among the groups regarding age, gender and body mass index (BMI). The number of smokers was significantly higher in the ERD group than the ERD and control groups (X²=39.59, DF=6, P<0.001).

The current study showed that mental factors (anxiety and depression) play important roles in the development of GERD, especially NERD; therefore, it is recommended to consider these factors to select suitable treatment plan.