Psychosomatic features in patients with lesions of the oesophagogastroduodenal zone in osteochondrosis of the spine, possibilities for correction

Abstract

Introduction. Both chronic back pain and erosive and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) reduce quality of life and can affect the emotional well-being of those affected. The purpose of the study: To determine psychosomatic characteristics and their dynamics against the background of treatment in patients with upper gastrointestinal tract lesions in osteochondrosis (OCh) of the lumbar spine. Object and research methods. 84 patients with lumbar spine osteochondrosis and upper gastrointestinal tract lesions were examined. The patients were divided into two groups depending on the nature of the upper gastrointestinal tract lesions: group I included patients with NSAIDinduced gastropathy (n=44), and group II included patients with GERD (n=40). Patients were prescribed complex therapy using a drug containing magnesium, vitamin B6 and melatonin. Before and after treatment, changes in the psychosomatic status of patients were assessed. Research results and their discussion. GERD combined with OCh leads to more pronounced changes in the psycho-emotional sphere according to the Spielberg-Hanin scale, the Beck Depression Scale, and the Boston Stress Test. The results of the Zung test indicate that patients in group II were 28.4% more likely to have moderate depression before treatment (p<0.01), while patients in group I were more likely to have mild depression before treatment (by 24.5% – p<0.01). However, the alexithymic personality type was diagnosed 3.2% more often in patients in group I. The proposed complex therapy is an effective method of influencing the psycho-emotional sphere in these patients. Conclusions. 1. In patients with lumbar spine osteochondrosis and upper gastrointestinal tract lesions, neuropsychometric testing revealed changes in psychological status, which were more pronounced in individuals with GERD. 2. An effective method of treating patients with lumbar osteochondrosis and upper gastrointestinal tract lesions is the additional prescription of a drug containing magnesium, vitamin B6 and melatonin, which reduces the severity of psychosomatic disorders in these patients.