Purpose of review: Functional dyspepsia affects 10% of the population. Emerging data are beginning to unravel the pathogenesis of this heterogeneous disorder, and new data on treatment are helping to guide evidence-based practice. In this review, the latest advances are summarized and discussed.
Recent findings: The Rome IV criteria were published in 2016 and are similar to Rome III but further emphasize the subtypes (postprandial distress syndrome and epigastric pain syndrome) rather than focussing on the syndrome as a whole, and conclude that gastroesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome are part of the functional dyspepsia spectrum. Environment is dominant in the pathogenesis. New data implicate herbivore pets and antibiotic exposure for a nongastrointestinal infection but require confirmation. Further experimental data suggest duodenal eosinophils and mast cells can alter enteric neuronal structure and function in functional dyspepsia.
Summary: Advances in our understanding of functional dyspepsia are changing clinical practice.