Therapeutic strategies for the treatment of dyspepsia

Dyspeptic symptoms are highly prevalent in the population and represent a major burden for healthcare systems. The ROME III criteria address and define two separate entities of functional dyspepsia: epigastric pain syndrome and postprandial distress syndrome. The etiology of dyspeptic symptoms is heterogeneous, underlying mechanisms are poorly understood and symptomatic improvement after drug therapy is often incomplete.

This review of the literature included Medline data being published in the field of functional dyspepsia and different therapies.

The reader will gain a current, unbiased understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying functional dyspepsia and of the therapeutic regimens based on randomized, controlled trials and on the meta-analyses that have been published on different therapeutic agents.

Before starting medical treatment, a careful physical examination should exclude 'alarm symptoms'. Laboratory data, ultrasound and endoscopy are recommended in patients older than 45 - 55 years (depending on the guidelines being used). In areas with a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori, the initial strategy includes 'test and treat' for H. pylori in addition to empiric acid suppressive therapy. Many studies have focused on the role of gastrointestinal dysmotility and hypersensitivity for dyspepsia with inconclusive results. Further therapeutic medical strategies include prokinetics, herbal preparations and psycho-/neurotopic drugs as well as additional psycho- or hypnotherapy.