Typical symptoms can be divided into the subtypes PDS and EPS, and there exists an overlap between the two syndromes. These symptoms can be acute or chronic. PDS patients report loss of appetite, early satiation, nausea, retching, vomiting, and bloating. In EPS, patients have stomach cramping and other upper abdominal pain. Some symptoms are non-gastrointestinal. Patients often report associated diaphoresis, headache, sleep disorders, and irritable bladder.  Functional dyspepsia symptoms usually do not progress and lack red flag signs of unintentional weight loss, dysphagia, night sweats, and persistent vomiting.[3] Patients usually have an unremarkable physical exam, and this can assist in excluding other diagnoses.[11]

To exclude organic causes, evaluation can start with laboratory tests, including blood count, complete metabolic panel, thyroid function, and inflammatory markers. If H. pylori infection is prevalent in at least 10% of the population, it is recommended to test for this.[1] Instrumental examinations include esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy and abdominal ultrasonography. The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) recommends the routine use of upper endoscopy in patients older than 60 years to rule out malignancy, especially in the setting of red flag signs. If patients do not respond to treatment, it is reasonable to pursue more specialized testing specific to the symptoms.[3]

Confirmation of the diagnosis is based on the patient’s history with the exclusion of other diseases with similar presentations.[3] Rome IV symptom criteria for functional dyspepsia are defined as the presence of one or more of the following symptoms: bothersome postprandial fullness, early satiety, epigastric pain, or burning with no demonstration of structural or metabolic disease to explain the symptoms. Symptoms duration is at least 3 months, with the onset of symptoms occurring at least 6 months before diagnosis. Furthermore, the symptoms can be divided into PDS & EPS based on the primary symptom. PDS is usually meal-induced and presents with postprandial fullness and early satiation, while EPS is characterized by epigastric pain or burning.[1][2][3] 

Treatment can be challenging, where the main aim is symptom control.[5][12] Initial management begins with an explanation of the diagnosis and discussing the patient’s expectations for treatment. If it is suspected, H. pylori eradication is recommended as the first treatment for all patients with functional dyspepsia, as this improves symptoms and decreases the risk of peptic ulcers and gastric cancer.[4][5] After this, treatment is a two-step process. The first-line treatment is with a proton pump inhibitor or H2 receptor antagonist for at least four weeks. Then, if symptoms persist, subsequent treatment with tricyclic antidepressants, or prokinetic agents like metoclopramide and acotiamide (not available in the U.S.) are pursued.[5][13][14][15][16][17] Adjunctive or alternative non-pharmacologic therapies include psychotherapy, herbal supplementation, lifestyle modification, dietary interventions, acupuncture, and electrical stimulation.[18]

• GERD
• H. pylori infection
• Gastritis
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Celiac disease
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Gastroparesis
• Acute cholecystitis
• Gastric carcinoma

Functional dyspepsia is relapsing and remitting. Population studies have shown that during extended follow-up, 15% to 20% of patients have persistent symptoms, while 50% have complete resolution of symptoms.  There is no data to show that it is associated with decreased survival.[3][18]

Although the condition is not associated with increased mortality, it does cause physical and mental distress affecting the patient’s quality of life.[7] It has been found that patients with functional dyspepsia score higher on psychometric tests for symptoms of anxiety, depression, and somatization. About 10% to 25% of patients report the social impact of their symptoms, enough to seek a physician, leading to more health care visits, greater health impairment, and, thus, an overall worse quality of life.[3][19]

It is essential to educate patients on the benign course of this disorder, to establish long-term care and expectations for treatment.[3] If red flag signs such as unintentional weight loss, persistent vomiting, or dysphagia are present, further evaluation is recommended. 

Functional dyspepsia is a rather common condition that prompts a patient to visit their physician. Patients will have symptoms that manifest similarly to other conditions. It is important to rule out any potential organic causes of the symptoms using additional [invasive] testing, especially if red flag signs are present. Making the diagnosis can be difficult, as it is a clinical diagnosis based on the Rome IV criteria.[3] Treatment can be equally as challenging because frequently, symptoms are refractory to first-line treatments. An interdisciplinary team that includes primary care, gastroenterologists, nurses, psychiatrists, and pharmacists can aid in the recognition of this condition. It is important to educate patients on the definition and course of functional dyspepsia, as patient understanding is paramount to treatment. [Level 5]