The association between functional dyspepsia and depression: a meta-analysis of observational studies

Concomitant functional dyspepsia (FD) and psychosocial stressors have been reported; however, the association between FD and depression remains controversial and no quantitative meta-analysis exists. Published articles were identified through a comprehensive review of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from inception to the 8 July 2018. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals and subgroup analyses were calculated using a random-effects model. Findings for a total of 59 029 individuals were pooled across 23 studies and examined. Our analyses showed a positive association between FD and depression, with an OR of 2.28 (95% confidence interval: 2.02-3.81; I=100%). In the subgroup analysis, FD patients in Europe (OR=6.19) were more likely to have depression compared with Asians (OR=2.47); the overall significance results decreased the most in subgroup which the overall significance of the subgroup analyses results decreased the most in studies that adjusted for BMI (OR=1.42). Our meta-analysis showed a positive association between FD and depression. Further large-scale prospective cohort studies are needed to investigate the causality between FD and depression.