Gender differences in ghrelin, nociception genes, psychological factors and quality of life in functional dyspepsia

AIM: to evaluate gender differences in the aspect of ghrelin, nociception-related genes and psychological aspects and the quality of life (QoL) in Korean functional dyspepsia (FD) patients. METHODS: Total of 191 persons were prospectively enrolled between March 2013 and May 2016 in Seoul National Bundang Hospital, and classified into control and FD group based on ROME III criteria. Questionnaire included assessment for dyspepsia symptoms, QoL and anxiety or depression. Preproghrelin and nociception genes in the gastric mucosa and plasma acyl/des-acyl ghrelin were measured. CONCLUSION: Gender differences of ghrelin and nociception-related genes in male and psychological factors in female underlie FD symptoms. More careful assessment of psychological or emotional status is required particularly for the female FD patients.