Original paper
The role of the Type A behaviour in the pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Background: Stress, emotions and other relevant psychological factors can play an important role in GERD pathogenesis. Aim: Assesment of the prevalence of Type A behaviour, as well as its correlation with the manifestation of emotions in patients with GERD. Material and methods: We studied 50 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and 40 healthy subjects. Behaviour type and control of emotions was assesed using Framingham Type A Behaviour Pattern Measure and Courtland Emotional Control Scale (CECS). Results: The results revelated significant differences in Type A behaviour and anxiety and depression between patients with GERD disease and the control group. Patients had also problems with emotions coping. The significant positive correlation between anxiety and depression levels and Type A behaviour has been found. Conclusions: Those data show that Type A behaviour and emotional problems are important psychological factors HRQL patients with GERD. Psychoterapy should be recommended in the treatment of those patients.