The variation characteristics of fecal microbiota in remission UC patients with anxiety and depression

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis (UC) patients with relapsed disease are most likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. Increasing data indicates that psychological issues can change the composition of intestinal flora. Thus, we aim to seek the variation of intestinal microbiota composition in remission UC patients with anxiety and depression in Northwest China. RESULTS: In this study, 45 UC patients in remission were enrolled. The incidence of anxiety was 33.3%, and the prevalence of depression was 22.2%. There was no statistical difference in the alpha diversity of fecal microbiota, while beta diversity had a significant difference between the anxiety group and the non-anxiety group and the depression group and the non-depression group. Species composition analysis results showed that the ratio of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacilales significantly decreased. At the same time, the proportion of Escherichia-Shigella and Proteus_mirabilis increased in the anxiety group, and the ratio of Faecalibacterium and Bifidobacterium significantly decreased. In contrast, Escherichia-Shigella increased in the depression group at the gene levels. CONCLUSION: Anxiety and depression still exist in UC patients even in the remission period. We first identify that the proportion of probiotics decreases while the proportion of pathogens increases in UC patients with anxiety and depression. These findings may provide a new pathophysiological mechanism for the recurrence of disease caused by impaired psychological function and a new method for the treatment strategy of UC patients with psychological issues.