Peptic ulcer and mental disorders among adults in the community: the role of nicotine and alcohol use disorders.
OBJECTIVE
Previous studies have documented links between peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and mood and anxiety disorders among adults in the community. Several substance use disorders (e.g., nicotine and alcohol dependence) are highly comorbid with mood/anxiety disorders and have been also linked with PUD. No previous study has examined the potentially explanatory role of substance use disorders in the link between mood and anxiety disorders and PUD. The objective of the study is to examine relationships between a range of mental disorders and PUD among adults in the United States and to examine the potentially explanatory role of substance use disorders in these links.


METHODS
Data were drawn from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, a nationally representative sample of US adults 18 years of age and over (n = 43,098). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders IV diagnoses of mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders were assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule-DSM-IV, and PUD status was assessed via self-report.


RESULTS
Findings show that mood/anxiety disorders were associated with PUD. Specifically, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (Odds ratio (OR) = 3.43) was most strongly associated with PUD, followed by panic disorder (OR = 3.11), dysthymia (OR = 3.59), and bipolar disorder (OR = 2.91). The relationships between most mood/anxiety disorders and PUD were substantially attenuated after adjusting for nicotine and alcohol dependence.


CONCLUSIONS
Mood/anxiety disorders are associated with increased rates of PUD; nicotine and alcohol dependence seems to play a substantial role in explaining the link with PUD.
Goodwin
Renee D
RD
Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA. rdg66@columbia.edu
Keyes
Katherine M
KM
Stein
Murray B
MB
Talley
Nicholas J
NJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult