Functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome, are they different entities and does it matter?

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.