Functional dyspepsia is a highly prevalent symptom, defined as pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, without any organic or morphologic causes, that lasts for 12 weeks, consecutive or not, over a 12 month period. The pathophysiologic mechanisms, still under investigation, involve several factors such as motility abnormalities, acid sensitivity, psychological distress. They may interact to generate a variety of symptoms. The functional dyspepsia is subdivided in two subgroups: ulcer-like and dismotiliy-lik. Current available options for the treatment of functional dyspepsia are limited, but targeted therapy directed to the symptoms and at the underlying pathophysiology may lead to better symptom control. © Copyright Moreira Jr. Editora. Todos os direitos reservados.62SPEC. ISS.163170Talley, N.J., Stanghelini, V., Heading, R.C., Functional gastrointestinal disorders (1999) Gut, 45 (SUPPL. 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