Advantages and disadvantages of lumping together gastroesophageal reflux disease and dyspepsia

Abstract

The aim of this article is to identify and to balance the arguments in favor of and against lumping together gastroesophageal reflux disease and functional dyspepsia. In at least half of the patients diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease no organic abnormalities are found. Hypersensitivity of the esophagus to various stimuli plays a key role in the genesis of symptoms in these patients. The association between symptoms and acid reflux events can be quantified by 24-h esophageal pH monitoring. It has also become possible to detect non-acid reflux, using the intraluminal impedance monitoring technique. Functional dyspepsia is still defined by a combination of symptoms for which no organic cause can be found. No positive diagnostic tools have yet become available and treatment with acid secretion inhibitors, Helicobacter pylori eradication or prokinetic drugs remains marginally effective. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a well defined disease which can be diagnosed objectively with endoscopy or 24-h pH/impedance monitoring with symptom association analysis. Functional dyspepsia is a functional disorder for which no objective test has yet been discovered. Treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease is based on objectively identified abnormalities and highly effective. Treatment of functional dyspepsia is empiric and marginally effective. For these reasons, the lumping together of gastroesophageal reflux disease and functional dyspepsia is not to be advised.