Dyspepsia: review of management options

ABSTRACT

Dyspepsia is a common clinical problem which is associated with significant healthcare cost. The management of patients presenting with dyspepsia remains controversial. It has been shown to be cost effective and associated with long-term improvement to test and treat young patients positive for H. pylori, who present to the primary care setting. Patients negative for H. pylori may be treated with an antisecretory medication. Prompt endoscopy is recommended in patients over age 50 years, those with alarm symptoms and those who have failed previous therapy. In the Caribbean, the management of patients should be individualized in view of the relatively high prevalence of H pylori infection and gastric carcinoma