Depression and 'hassles' in globus pharyngis.

A group of 25 patients (16 women, 9 men) attending an ENT department with globus sensation and 25 matched ENT controls were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory and scales for daily stressful events ('hassles'). Globus patients of both sexes were significantly more depressed than controls and had Beck scores suggestive of significant depression. Thirteen patients, but only two controls, had an independent life event within two months of disease onset, and patients had higher hassles scores than controls.