Novel concepts in the pathophysiology and treatment of functional dyspepsia

Emerging data increasingly point towards the duodenum as a key region underlying the pathophysiology of functional dyspepsia (FD), one of the most prevalent functional GI disorders. The duodenum plays a major role in the control and coordination of gastroduodenal function. Impaired duodenal mucosal integrity and low-grade inflammation have been associated with altered neuronal signalling and systemic immune activation, and these alterations may ultimately lead to dyspeptic symptoms. Likely luminal candidates inducing the duodenal barrier defect include acid, bile, the microbiota and food antigens although no causal association with symptoms has been convincingly demonstrated. Recognition of duodenal pathology in FD will hopefully lead to the discovery of new biomarkers and therapeutic targets, allowing biologically targeted rather than symptom-based therapy. In this review, we summarise the recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of FD with a focus on the duodenum.