Treatment of functional dyspepsia

Functional dyspepsia is a common chronic condition. It can have a major impact on quality of life and remains a large burden on healthcare resources. Its underlying mechanisms are not fully understood and therapies are mainly empirical. In this review, we summarize the best evidence on available therapeutic interventions in functional dyspepsia. Helicobacter pylori eradication, for those infected, is likely a safe and cost-effective strategy but benefits only a minority. Antisecretory agents such as proton-pump inhibitors and histamine-2 receptor antagonists have shown some benefit and are recommended as the first-line option in the absence of H. pylori infection. There is a lack of strong evidence of benefit from prokinetic agents, and cisapride, the most studied agent, is largely unavailable. Antidepressants need to be adequately tested in functional dyspepsia, but both psychotherapy and hypnotherapy interventions have shown promising results. Herbal therapies need further study in these patients. 5-Hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT3) and 5-HT4 receptor antagonists, and cholecystokinin type A and neurokinin receptor antagonists remain promising emerging therapies. Copyright © 2004 by Current Science Inc.