Mood Emot.  2022 Mar;20(1):15-22. 10.35986/me.2022.20.1.15.

A Study of Dry Mouth and Gastrointestinal Disorders in Patients Taking Antidepressant

• Heo YJ
• Yang CM
• Lee HJ
• Lee SY
• Jang SH

• KMID: 2538379
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.35986/me.2022.20.1.15

Abstract

Background
The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of dry mouth and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in antidepressant patients.
Methods
The study included 103 antidepressant-taking patients. Antidepressants were classified according to their mode of action. The GI disorders were investigated using the medical records of the patients. The Patient Health Questionnaire-15 and a questionnaire for assessing dry mouth symptoms were used in this study.
Results
The score for “overall discomfort due to dry mouth in daily life” (31.72±33.82), “dry mouth at night or in the morning” (47.86±35.87), and “dry mouth during the day” (39.83±31.67) were slightly higher than “discomfort in chewing or swallowing foods”. According to somatization severity, the mean values were 116.36±113.34 in the mild, 213.18±136.98 in the moderate, and 277.59±201.44 in the severe, the between-group difference was significant (F=10.294, p<0.001). According to the class of antidepressants, the mean score was 180.00±147.5 for vortioxetine, 194.25±169.33 for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), 223.61±156.70 for serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), 75.00±57.00 for norepinephrine dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs), 201.67±174.66 for Nassau, and 116.67±132.03 for agomelatine. A total of 67 (65.0%) patients had at least one GI disorder.
Conclusion
The study findings are expected to help increase medication compliance in antidepressant patients by better controlling the side effects experienced by the patients.

Keyword

Dry mouth; Gastrointestinal disorders; Somatization; Antidepressant; Functional dyspepsia