Functional dyspepsia

The term "dyspepsia" describes chronic or intermittent complaints of the upper gastrointestinal tract that are characterized by epigastric pain, anorexia, fullness, belching, heartburn, nausea, and/or vomiting. In the general population, the prevalence of dyspeptic symptoms is about 15-20%. Most of these individuals suffer from functional dyspepsia (FD), with organic diseases such as peptic ulcer, esophagitis caused by gastroesophageal reflux, and neoplasia being much less common. The precise etiology of FD remains unknown. According to Rome III criteria, FD is defined as distinct epigastric complaints lacking a structural or biochemical explanation. Current hypotheses consider altered motility or visceral hypersensitivity as the underlying pathomechanism. Hence, the symptomatic pharmacological treatment mainly consists of compounds modulating motor activity and visceral nociception.