Study Confirms Psychological Factors Influence Severity of Esophageal Disease Symptoms
A recent study has highlighted the significant role psychological factors play in the severity of esophageal disease symptoms, surpassing even objective medical evaluations like acid reflux and esophageal motility function. While general psychological assessment tools exist in Japan, none specifically addressed esophageal symptoms—until now.
To bridge this gap, Dr. Akinari Sawada’s research team at Osaka Metropolitan University collaborated with U.S. researchers to develop a Japanese version of the Esophageal Hypervigilance and Anxiety Scale (EHAS). Tested on 432 patients across six facilities, the adapted questionnaire proved as reliable as standard health surveys.
Further analysis of 113 patients with esophageal achalasia revealed a direct correlation between higher EHAS scores and increased symptom severity. These findings reinforce the need for psychological assessments in managing esophageal diseases, paving the way for improved patient care.
