ObjectiveTo explore the disability of social function of gastrointestinal outpatients with depressive or anxiety disorders in general hospitals. MethodsA multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June in 2007. A total of 1 995 subjects from 13 general hospitals in China were screened by using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The subjects scored≥8 on HADS were diagnosed via the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview by psychiatrists. The Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) was used to assessed patients' disability of life, work, and social intercourse aspects. Then, compared the subjective quality of life, number of doctor visits, and monthly loss of working days between outpatients with and without depressive or anxiety disorders in last six months. Further, compared the social dysfunction between patients with depression/anxiety disorders (the case group) and without depression/anxiety disorders (the control group) in functional disorders group and organic disease group of gastroenterology respectively. ResultsIn comparison to the control group, the case group had much higher score of SDS, including life, work, and social intercourse (P<0.05) aspect and had more doctor visits and loss of more working days (P<0.05). In functional disorders group of gastroenterology, the case group had much higher score of SDS, including life, work, and social intercourse (P<0.05) aspect and had more doctor visits, loss of more working days (P<0.05) compared with those in the control group. In organic disease group of gastroenterology, the case group had much higher score of SDS, including life, work, and social intercourse (P<0.05) aspect and had loss of more working days (Z=-4.307, P<0.001) compared with those in the control group. ConclusionFor the patients with functional disorders or organic disease of gastroenterology, the depressive and anxiety disorders may lead to the disability of social function.