| [ Summary ] |
Literature related to dyspepsia in Japan and Western countries was reviewed and epidemiological aspects were compared. There have been some studies which have reported on dyspepsia or non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) in the Japanese population. These studies used various criteria for the diagnosis of NUD. There for precise comparisons could not be made. The characteristics of dyspepsia in the Japanese population were as follows: (1) In outpatients with dyspepsia, the prevalence of reflux esophagitis or gastric cancer was lower or higher than in Western countries, respectively, and the prevalence of peptic ulcers and NUD was similar to Western countries. (2) In the general Japanese population, the prevalence of dyspepsia was almost the same as, or less than in Western countries, whereas the prevalence of peptic ulcers was higher than that in Western countries. NUD prevalence was the same as in Western countries. (3) NUD in Japan was prevalent in younger populations and in women, compared with dyspepsia associated with organic diseases. (4) Dysmotility-like NUD was predominant in Japan as well as in European countries. (5) There was no apparent relationship between NUD and H. pylori infection, but some studies reported on the effectiveness of eradication therapy. (6) The prevalence of NUD decreased in the elderly population, mainly because of decreases in dysmotility and reflux-like NUD. (7) Prevalence of smoking was higher in dyspepsia patients with peptic ulcers than in NUD patients. (8) 18% of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) individuals had dyspepsia. |