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World J Gastroenterol. May 7, 2006; 12(17): 2708-2712
Published online May 7, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i17.2708
Functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome, are they different entities and does it matter
Kok-Ann Gwee, Andrew Seng Boon Chua
Kok-Ann Gwee, Stomach Liver & Bowel Clinic, Gleneagles Hospital, Singapore, and the Department of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Andrew Seng Boon Chua, Ipoh Gastro Centre, 31 Lebuh Raya Taman Ipoh, Ipoh Garden South, 31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Correspondence to: Kok-Ann Gwee, Stomach Liver and Bowel Clinic, Gleneagles Hospital, Annexe Block 05-37, 6A Napier Road, Singapore 258500, Singapore. mdcgka@nus.edu.sg
Telephone: +65-6-4746848 Fax: +65-6-4758285
Received: March 3, 2006
Revised: March 12, 2006
Accepted: March 27, 2006
Published online: May 7, 2006
Abstract

A high prevalence of overlap between functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome has been consistently and universally reported. Recent studies demonstrating shared common pathophysiological disturbances including delayed gastric emptying and visceral hypersensitivity involving more than one region, suggest that these patients have a generalised rather than regional, disorder of the gut. Furthermore, a study of the natural history of dyspepsia suggests that with time, a substantial proportion will evolve into IBS. The recognition of IBS in dyspeptic patients has potentially profound therapeutic importance. It could help to reduce the risk of unnecessary cholecystectomy in IBS patients. The ability to appreciate the extent of involvement could allow us to address the disturbances more comprehensively, and thereby achieve greater patient satisfaction with their treatment.

Keywords: Functional dyspepsia; Irritable bowel syndrome; Common pathophysiology; Asian; Epidemiology