Abstract: Objective  To explore the possible mechanism and clinical significance of serum interleukin 6 (IL6) level and the digestive symptoms in patients caused by the mental factors. Methods  Totally 48 functional dyspepsia (FD) patients with Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) for mildtomoderate depression (HAMD 8 points≤scores≤35 points) were selected as the case group. Meanwhile， 40 FD patients with no depression symptom (HAMD scores＜8 points) in the same period were selected as the control group. The serum IL6 in two groups were measured and the indigestion symptom was scored in the case group. Results  The serum level of IL6 in case group was significantly higher than that of control group (P＜0.05). The HAMD scores and the indigestion symptom scores in case group were significantly higher than those of control group (P＜0.05). The serum level of IL6 and HAMD scores were positively correlated (P＜0.01). The serum level of IL6 and the indigestion symptom scores were positively correlated (P＜0.01). The indigestion symptom scores and HAMD scores were positively correlated  in case group(P＜0.01). Conclusion  The mental factors play important role in the pathogenesis of FD. The more depressed patients are， the higher their serum IL6 are， and the more severe their dyspeptic symptoms are.

Key words: dyspepsia, depression, interleukin 6