GOALS To evaluate the prevalence of functional dyspepsia (FD) and its risk factors.

BACKGROUND FD is a common disorder, but its negative influences greatly affect the quality of life. The predictive factors of FD are still ambiguous.

STUDY A total of 3399 participants underwent screening gastroscopy at one of 7 nationwide health care centers in Korea and who completed a questionnaire. Atrophic gastritis was defined by gastroscopy. Serologic Helicobacter pylori immunoglobulin G antibody was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS Of the 3399 participants who did not have organic diseases, 694 (20.4%) had dyspeptic symptoms such as epigastric pain/soreness or postprandial discomfort. Among the 694 participants, atrophic gastritis and positive H. pylori serology were found in 282 (40.6%) and 422 (60.8%), respectively; these proportions were not different from the remaining asymptomatic subjects. Multivariate analysis showed that having relatives with gastric cancer [odds ratio (OR), 1.35; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-1.81], education below college (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.06-1.64), and high-salt diet (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.05-1.68) were associated with FD symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS FD symptoms were frequently found in the health check-up subjects. Relatives of gastric cancer, education below college, and high-salt diet were risk factors of FD, suggesting that FD is a multifactorial disease.