Dyspepsia Disease Summary

Last updated: 09 February 2026

Overview

Dyspepsia refers to the pain or discomfort centered in the upper abdomen, as stated in the Introduction section.

The global prevalence of functional dyspepsia is 5-11%, with the prevalence of uninvestigated dyspepsia and functional dyspepsia at 5-30% in Asian countries. A detailed discussion about the prevalence of dyspepsia is in the Epidemiology section.

Discussion on the possible causes of dyspeptic symptoms is in the Etiology section.

The Pathophysiology section explains the difference between a microscopic physiologic mechanism and a macroscopic physiologic mechanism in the developmental process of dyspepsia.



Dyspepsia_Disease SummaryDyspepsia_Disease Summary

History and Physical Examination

The Clinical Presentation section describes the signs and symptoms of dyspepsia, according to whether they are ulcer-like, reflux-like, or dysmotility-like.

The History section lists the key information that should be obtained when evaluating a patient with dyspepsia. The physical exams that may help to diagnose or exclude other diseases are in the Physical Examination section.

Diagnosis

The Diagnosis or Diagnostic Criteria section features the different subtypes of functional dyspepsia. The Rome IV Diagnostic Criteria for functional dyspepsia and its subtypes, refractory and postinfection functional dyspepsia are also discussed in this section.

Enumeration of alarm symptoms that should be recognized and may warrant immediate referral is in the Screening section.

Discussion on diagnostic tests that may be performed to exclude organic causes and identify alarm features in dyspepsia is in the Laboratory Tests and Ancillaries section.  

The Imaging section explains the use of diagnostic tests to rule out other causes of dyspeptic symptoms. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is also discussed in this section.

Other conditions that should be ruled out in the diagnosis of dyspepsia are listed in the Differential Diagnosis section.

Management

Clinical management decisions in patients with dyspepsia are discussed in the Evaluation section.

General therapy principles and therapeutic goals in patients with dyspepsia are discussed in the Principles of Therapy section.

The Pharmacological Therapy section discusses in detail the options for empiric therapy and other therapies for dyspepsia as well as the duration of the therapy.

The Nonpharmacological section includes lifestyle modification, behavioral therapies, and things to educate the patient about the management of dyspepsia. 

The Monitoring section identifies indications for follow-up in patients treated for dyspepsia. This section also discusses the clinical basis for referring patients with dyspepsia to specialists.