Heterogeneity of symptom pattern, psychosocial factors, and pathophysiological mechanisms in severe functional dyspepsia

Abstract

Background & aims: Categorization of functional dyspepsia into subgroups is based on expert opinion according to (dominant) symptoms or on underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. We used an evidence-based approach to the determination of subtypes of functional dyspepsia.

Methods: Consecutive functional dyspepsia patients were recruited from a tertiary referral center. The following were performed: (1) exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of symptom patterns in a large group of patients with functional dyspepsia; (2) external validation of these factors by the determination of their association pattern with physio- and psychopathological mechanisms, and with health-related quality of life and sickness behavior; and (3) cluster analysis of their distribution in this population.

Results: Both EFA and CFA do not support the existence of functional dyspepsia as a homogeneous (unidimensional) condition. A 4-factor model is found to be valid, with differential distribution within the patient population according to cluster analysis. Factor 1 is characterized by nausea, vomiting, early satiety, and weight loss and factor 2 by postprandial fullness and bloating. Both factor 1 and 2 are associated with delayed emptying, but only factor 1 is associated with younger age, female sex, and sickness behavior. Factor 3 is characterized by pain symptoms and associated with gastric hypersensitivity and several psychosocial dimensions including medically unexplained symptoms and health-related quality of life dimensions. Factor 4, characterized by belching, is also associated with hypersensitivity, but is unrelated to psychosocial dimensions.

Conclusions: In a tertiary care population, functional dyspepsia is a heterogeneous condition characterized by 4 major dimensions differentially associated with psychopathological and physiopathological mechanisms.