''Functional dyspepsia'' 1997 - Current concepts

In February 1997, experts of different medical disciplines met in Magdeburg to discuss their current understanding of functional dyspepsia (FD). The definition of Fn by N. J. Talley et al. of 1991 is generally accepted. Overlap to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome has to be considered, In subgroups of FD, disorders of motility, of gastric acid secretion, of visceral perception, of mucosal integrity [Helicobacter-pylori (HP)-gastritis] and of psyche may be found. But these pathophysiological findings do not implicate established treatment options as they correlate insufficiently with the symptoms and treatment efficacy. The causality of these disorders for FD has not been proven. Also little is known about the interdependence. Therefore in clinical practice, the treatment is still probatory. Beside antisecretory and prokinetic agents, and psychotherapy, HP therapy after non-invasive HP diagnosis is increasingly applied. Non-invasive tests and more specific treatment options for disorders of motility and visceral perception are in progress.