Dyspepsia. Definition and discussion of nomenclature

Dyspepsia stands for a constellation of symptoms referrable to the upper gastrointestinal tract. However, the term dyspepsia is too vague to be useful in scientific work unless critically defined. In many cases dyspepsia coincides with the irritable bowel syndrome. An increased use of endoscopy and the possibility of prompt symptom relief in peptic ulcer by treatment with H2-receptor antagonists have focused the interest on patients with ulcer-like dyspepsia but in whom there is no evidence of ulcer disease. This large group of patients deserves further nosologic classification and there is a strong need of pathophysiologic and interventional studies.