Epigastric Distress Syndrome

Abstract

The term ‘non-ulcer dyspepsia’ lacks a generally accepted definition. A broad spectrum of symptoms could be included under this heading. Therefore, a subclassification with strict and reproducible lines of demarcation is needed. The aim of a recently concluded study was to delineate the category of patients who suffer from chronic or recurrent epigastric pain without symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and without any anatomical correlates. In order to emphasize the distinction between the studied condition and the less well-defined diagnosis of non-ulcer-dyspepsia we have proposed an alternative designation, “Epigastric Distress Syndrome”. The admixture of initially overlooked organic diseases seems to be almost negligible when strict criteria are used for the diagnosis. Gastric acid is probably not involved in the etiology but psychological factors seem to be crucial for the development of this condition.

Key Words:

• Dyspepsia