Depression and Stomach Ulcer Link Revealed by Genetics

Depression and stomach ulcers have been found to have a link according to genetic studies of human gut bacterias. Findings published showed a genetic association between a person's susceptibility for peptic ulcer diseases and major depression with other psychiatric disorders.

What is Major Depression?

Major depressive disorder or commonly referred to as simply depression is a serious medical illness according to the American Psychiatric Association. It affects the way a person thinks, feels, and acts.

Medical advancements show that depression has the ability to physically and chemically alter a person's brain. Fortunately, it is treatable. Depression causes feelings of loss and sadness that can lead to multiple emotional and physical problems.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, in any given year roughly 1 in 15 adults or 6.7% of the population experiences depression. While 16.6% will be affected by depression within their lifetime.

Understanding Peptic Ulcer Disease

Ulcers are open sores, while the term 'peptic' is used to describe the cause behind the ulcers which is due to stomach acids according to the American College of Gastroenterology.

The two most common forms of peptic ulcers are gastric ulcers that are located in the stomach and duodenal ulcers that are located at the starts of the small intestine.

Often people don't exhibit any symptoms. However, some indications of stomach ulcers are a small pain in the abdomen, nausea, feeling bloated, and vomiting.

(Photo: Photo by Masha Raymers from Pexels)

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Studying the Genetic Link Between Depression and Stomach Ulcer

A study published in the journal Nature Communications entitled, "GWAS of peptic ulcer disease implicated Helicobacter pylori infection, other gastrointestinal disorders and depression" indicates the possible genetic link between depression and stomach ulcers.

Helicobacter pylori, a common bacteria residing in around 50% of people's upper gastrointestinal tracts have been found to contribute to the vulnerability to peptic ulcer and other gastrointestinal diseases.

The bacteria was first highlighted in the early 1980s after scientists reveal its direct link to the development of peptic ulcers however a majority of people with the bacteria did not develop stomach ulcers or the like.

Yeda Wu, lead author from the University of Queensland's Institute for Molecular Bioscience with his colleagues conducted a large genome-wide study in search for patterns indicating genetic susceptibility to peptic ulcer diseases. UK Biobank data comprising more than 450,000 people were analyzed where 8 genetic variations were found to intertwine with the development of ulcers.

Statistical analysis revealed a casual association and bi-directional relationship between major depressive disorder and variants linked with stomach ulcer disease.

Researchers proposed a number of hypothetical mechanisms explaining how depression influences and can be influenced by stomach ulcers.

Wu explains that although a definitive causal relationship between depression and gastrointestinal diseases cannot be confirmed, the study provides a possible insight into clinical implications and possible future relationships of the two.

Plainly said, researchers suggest clinicians consider psychological symptoms when treating peptic ulcer diseases in patients.