Helicobacter pylori gastritis is an infection frequently observed around the world. In our research, the effect of Helicobacter pylori positivity on depression and somatosensory amplification was investigated. The research included a total of 112 patients with dyspeptic complaints, 52 Helicobacter pylori positive and 60 Helicobacter pylori negative, and a healthy control group of 54 cases without any complaints. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory and the Somatosensory Amplification Scale. There was no effect of Helicobacter pylori positivity on depression levels (p=0.116), while Helicobacter pylori positivity had a significant effect on somatosensory amplification (F=6.794; p=0.010; η2=0.40). There were significant effects of dyspeptic complaints on depression levels (F=6.695; p=0.011; η2=0.039) and somatosensory amplification (F=7.554; p=0.007; η2=0.044). It was identified that somatosensory amplification, sex and family history were each statistically significant explanatory variables for depression (p=0.001 β2=0.255; p=0.038 β2=0.150; p=0.002 β2=0.230). There was a 0.269 increase in depression for each 1-unit increase in somatosensory amplification, the female sex increased depression by 2.463 units and positive family history increased it by 4.949 units. Helicobacter pylori positivity was not found to be a significant explanatory variable for depression (p=0.412). While Helicobacter pylori positivity did not have an effect on depression, it was found to be effective in somatosensory amplification. The presence of dyspeptic complaints was effective on both depression and somatosensory amplification. Somatosensory amplification was one of the factors predicting depression in patients with dyspeptic complaints. Somatosensory amplification is an important factor in patients with Helicobacter pylori positivity and dyspeptic complaints. Mental diseases should not be ignored during the monitoring and treatment of this patient group.
Key words: Helicobacter pylori, depression, somatosensory amplification, somatization, medically unexplained symptoms
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