Epidemiology of Uninvestigated Dyspepsia and Functional Dyspepsia in Asia

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a group of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders that includes variable combinations of chronic or recurrent upper GI symptoms not explained by structural or biochemical abnormalities. FD accounts for a significant percentage of patients seen in primary care with abdominal symptoms. Although the criteria used to define FD can easily affect the prevalence in the general population, the prevalence of uninvestigated dyspepsia and FD diagnosed by the Rome III criteria is 5.3% to 20.4%, predominantly affecting females. The prevalence differs among geographical regions and races. Gene polymorphisms and early life events are also involved in the development of FD. The symptoms often alleviate and re-appear in the course of these entities. This information may introduce physicians to the detailed background of these patients and strategies for treatment.