Helicobacter Pylori Associated Depression among Patients Presenting with Epigastric Pain

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection is an extremely prevalent infection that has been connected to a number of illnesses, including stomach cancer and peptic ulcer disease.Additionally, depression has been listed as a widespread, expensive, and 13% prevalent public health concern.Despite the substantial link between depression and H. pylori gastritis, few studies have looked at the connection between H. pylori infection and depression.Objective: In this study we aimed to assess the relation between depression and H. pylori infection.Patients and methods: This was a case control study that included 150 patients with and without H. pylori infection, patients were diagnosed by detection of H. pylori antigen in the stool, with assessment of presence and severity of depression in all patients using depression score using PHQ-9 SCORE (Preliminary Psychiatric Assessment Using Patient Health Questionnaire).Results: Comparing both groups revealed highly significant increase in PHQ-9 score in group 1 patients with positive H. pylori infection compared to group 2 patients with negative H. pylori infection with significant increase in the severity of depression among H. pylori positive group Conclusion: H. pylori infection was significantly associated with depression and it is presence is related to the severity of depression making assessment of the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms or dyspepsia is very important in patient with depression.