Correlation between digestive diseases and depression in older adults

SGGP 09/16/2023 07:03

University of Michigan researchers have found a remarkable link between loneliness, depression and the incidence of digestive diseases in older adults.

Photo illustration Neuroscience News

Neuroscience News reports that, according to data from the University of Michigan Health and Retirement Study, of 7,110 older adults, 56% had a digestive disease and 44% did not. Of those with a digestive disease, 60.4% reported being lonely, 12.7% were severely depressed, and 8.9% were socially isolated. Of those without a digestive disease, the rates were 55.6%, 7.5%, and 8.7%, respectively.

Current approaches often fail to take into account psychosocial factors in a patient’s overall health, says gastroenterologist Shirley Ann Cohen-Mekelburg, MD. She hopes the findings will empower gastroenterologists to “screen patients for depression and loneliness,” in addition to their physical symptoms, to provide holistic care to patients.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/moi-tuong-quan-giua-benh-tieu-hoa-va-tram-cam-o-nguoi-lon-tuoi-post705807.html