How to manage the difficult-to-treat dyspeptic patient

The main causes of dyspepsia are unexplained gastroduodenal symptoms (i.e. functional dyspepsia), peptic ulcer disease, reflux disease and, rarely, malignancy. A careful clinical evaluation and upper endoscopy will exclude most of the major causes of dyspepsia. The absence of alarm features is reassuring. The yield of other diagnostic tests in this clinical situation is low, and repeat endoscopy is unlikely to be cost-effective. By definition, the difficult-to-treat patient with functional dyspepsia has already had Helicobacter pylori infection excluded or eradicated, has failed to respond to an adequate trial of acid-suppression therapy that used appropriate doses and, therefore, seeks other solutions. It is likely that patients who have failed to respond to previous trials of a PPI will not experience therapeutic gains with high-dose PPI therapy. A major gastroduodenal motor disorder should be suspected if there is severe early satiation (inability to finish a normal-sized meal), postprandial fullness, or persistent nausea and vomiting; here, an assessment of gastric emptying or gastric accommodation can be considered, to tailor therapy. Antidepressants (especially low-dose tricyclic agents) and psychological therapies can be useful. Creation of a logical management plan that includes patient education and support remains key.