Janusz Jerzemowski
Academy of Physical Education
and Sport, Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Gdańsk,
Poland
THE INFLUENCE OF HELICOBACTER
PYLORI INFECTION ON SELECTED PARAMETERS OF PERSONALITY AMONG MEN SUFFERING FROM
ULCERS.
Summary
The aim of
the work was to assess the influence of
H pylori infection on selected personality parameters of patients suffering
from duodenal ulcers who had a positive ureasic test
for H pylori. The subjects consisted of
34 men aged between 20 and 32, with an average age 26,4. All of the subjects were hospitalized and
after their endoscopic diagnosis they had a ureasic test for H pylori.
The assessment of their emotional state of mind was undertaken using Cattell’s eight factor test and the assessment of their
psychological state was determined by a questionnaire which contained possible
symptoms, measured on a scale from 0 to 6.
The results
from the psychological examination were compared with the results from a group
of 34 patients suffering from a duodenal ulcer, one month after the H pylori
bacteria had been eradicated. For the
statistical examination the Chi square test was used to determine if there were
any statistically significant differences between the two groups. Patients
suffering from active duodenal ulcers show increased values of six parameters
relating to their personality and psychological condition. The difference
between the two groups of patients – those with duodenal ulcers and H pylori
and those one month after the eradication of H pylori - are statistically
significant.
Introduction
For almost
80 years gastric and duodenal ulcers have been of interest not only to
physicians but also to psychologists (5). Among the risk factors causing these
illnesses, psychosocial factors are regarded as important, in addition to
stress. As a result, it was believed that ulcer patients many have a particular
type of personality. It is presently known that the cause of many illnesses of
the digestive tract, and also of other illnesses, is Helicobacter (H
pylori). In the case of duodenal ulcers,
95% of cases can be attributed to the presence of H pylori. It is also believed
that H pylori is responsible for a general deterioration in the quality of life
(1, 3, 5). The aim of the study was to assess the influence of H pylori
infection on selected personality parameters of duodenal ulcer patients who had
a positive ureasic test for H pylori.
Material and methods
The
subjects consisted of 34 men aged between 20 – 32, with an average age of
26,4. All of the subjects were
hospitalized and, after an endoscopic diagnosis, they
had a ureasic test for H pylori. The assessment of
their emotional state of mind was undertaken using Cattell’s
eight factor test and the assessment of their psychological state was
determined by a questionnaire which contained 15 possible symptoms, measured on
a scale from 0 to 6.
The results
from the psychological examinations were compared with the results from a group
of 34 patients who suffered from a duodenal ulcer, one month after the H pylori
bacteria had been eradicated. For the
statistical examination the Chi square test was used to determine if there were any significant differences between the
two groups.
The results
are presented in Table 1.
Discussion
The analysis reveals significant differences between the groups for most of the parameters that were examined. These differences relate mainly to the ,,personality trait of suspicion” and to the presence of anxiety. Less pronounced, but nonetheless statistically significant results, were found for two factors: auto-agression and strong emotional tension. The results show that patients with H pylori had a worse psychical condition.
The results
suggest that patients with active ulcers and a positive test for H pylori have
also increased anxiety, fearfulness and a worse psychological condition, which creates difficulties in the
performance of their everyday duties and an over reaction to stressful
situations. As a result, the quality of
their life is lowered. The reaction of the human body to H pylori infection may
take a general or a specific character. In the latter case, the consequence
will be illness of the upper part of the digestive system. In the latter case,
so many substances are produced as a result of H pylori infection that they
cause symptoms to occur outside the digestive system. The increased production
of cytokin and other cell mediators in the acute
phase of infection, a decrease in the activity lipase lipoproteins, and lipid
metabolism disturbances, may lead to irregularities in vasoconstrictions in
different part of the body (2, 4, 6). As a result it may be the factor that
causes the observed changes of the examined parameters, namely personality and
psychical condition.
Conclusion:
1. Patients suffering from active duodenal ulcers show
increased values of six parameters concerning their personality and psychical
condition.
2. The differences between the two groups of patients
with duodenal ulcers – those with H pylori and those one month after the
eradication of H pylori - are statistically significant.
Table 1. The comparison of results obtained by examining personality
parameters and psychological condition.
|
Examined parameters |
Meaning of parameters |
Value of chi square |
Statistical significance |
|
Q 3ˉ |
Disharmony
of the personality |
0,81 |
NS |
|
C- |
Disequilibrium
of emotion |
0,61 |
NS |
|
L+ |
Suspiciousness |
4,62 |
P <0,001 |
|
O+ |
Self
aggression |
2,01 |
P<0,05 |
|
Q4 |
Strong
emotional tension |
2,56 |
P<0,05 |
|
Nu |
Anxiety
manifest |
3,85 |
P<0,01 |
|
Nj |
Anxiety
latent |
3,07 |
P<0,01 |
|
Ng |
Anxiety total
|
1,90 |
P<0,01 |
|
Psychological
condition * |
6,53 |
P<0,001 |
|
* Psychological condition included: care of health, autism, to isolate emotion, to perceive guilt, strong emotion, satisfaction high needless performance, decrease mood, hostility, suspiciousness, motor inhibition, deficiency cooperation with investigators, dullness, excitation, want domination and aggression, manner of emotion to defeat.
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