Association Between Cold Hypersensitivity in the Extremities and Functional Dyspepsia: Insights from a Multicenter Survey Study

Abstract

The study examined the effects of cold hypersensitivity in hands and feet (CHHF) on the symptoms of functional dyspepsia. A study utilizing survey methods yielded completion from 6044 individuals to determine their Hand and Foot Cold Hypersensitivity status along with their dyspepsia symptomatology. Based on their responses, participants were divided into two groups: A group assigned as CHHF comprised of 1,209 participants felt cold sensations while the remaining 1,744 participants made up a non-CHHF comparison group who experienced warm or neutral sensations. Statistical evaluation of digestive symptom frequencies occurred through chi-square tests and logistic regression methods to generate outcome ratios (ORs) and create propensity scores between the two participant groups. Dyspeptic symptoms such as poor digestion and reduced appetite and upper abdominal discomfort and motion sickness and epigastric burning and postprandial fullness and nausea and bloating were significantly more frequent among participants from the CHHF group. Participants within the CHHF group showed a statistically higher occurrence of dyspeptic symptoms with vomiting and epigastric pain alongside various gastrointestinal problems compared to controls without CHHF. The findings highlight a potential association between CHHF and a higher prevalence of functional dyspepsia symptoms. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that individuals with cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet are more likely to experience various symptoms of functional dyspepsia. These results underscore the need for further investigation into the underlying mechanisms linking CHHF and dyspepsia, which may have implications for targeted clinical interventions and management strategies for affected individuals.