Analysis of Correlation between Interleukin-6 Gastric Mucosa with Plasma Cortisol Level in Functional Dyspepsia with Psychological Stress Arina Widya Murni 1 , Nita Afriani 2 , Saptino Miro 3 {arinawidyamurni@med.unand.ac.id 1 , nitaafriani83@med.unand.ac.id 2 , saptinomiro@med.unand.ac.id 3 } Department of Internal Medicine Subdivision Gastroenterohepatology Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Andalas Abstract. Pathophysiology of Functional dyspepsia still unclear, many factors had been a contribution. Cortisol was hormone stress that releases from cortex adrenal through activation of the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (HPA axis). It could affect immunity in the gastrointestinal mucosa and affected of IL-6 expression. This study aimed to determine the correlation of expression IL-6 in gastric mucosa with cortisol level in patients with functional dyspepsia with stress. It was a cross-sectional study with consecutive sampling method. There are 80 patient got a blood sampling, endoscopic and mucosal biopsy — screening stress with DASS 42. Morning and evening Cortisol plasma was examined with Elysa, immunohistochemical methods examined IL-6. 80 patients meet the criteria, divided in to stress group and non-stress group with the range of age 18-65 years. The mean value of morning cortisol was 15,79 ±7,6.μg / dL and evening cortisol was 6,43±4,53 μg / dL at group with no stress. In group with stress the cortisol morning was 24,03±12,18 μg / dL and cortisol evening was 12,42±9,25 μg / dL. Mean value of expression of IL-6 In gastric mucosa was 72,95±19,49 in the stress group and 73,28±16,70 in the non-stress group There was a significant correlation between morning plasma cortisol with expression IL-6 in the stress group (p = 0,05) and no significant result in the non-stress group. Keywords: Cortisol plasma, Expression IL-6, Psychological Stress. 1 Introduction Prevalence of dyspepsia in the world is 5% - 40% of the population. About 60% of these is functional dyspepsia (FD). Mahadeva and Goh's study (2006) states that FD patients roughly 20% go to general practitioners and specialist, 50% get long-term treatment and 30% of them have to leave work or school due to illness.[1] Many factors are thought to contribute to the pathophysiology of functional dyspepsia. The psychosocial stress factors, genetic, H pylori infection and other microbiota, altered gastrointestinal tract infections, abnormalities of gastric motility and visceral hypersensitivity problems have a contribution to be causes of FD. Psychological factors associated with sympathetic hyperactivity and elevated plasma cortisol levels due to hyperactivity of the corticotropin hormone (CRH).[2][3] Gastrointestinal functional impairment due to psychological problems occurs through activation of the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (HPA axis). Affected pathways are ICOMHER 2018, November 13-14, Padang, West Sumatera, Indonesia Copyright © 2019 EAI DOI 10.4108/eai.13-11-2018.2283530