Excessive Belching: a Separate Syndrome or Another Symptom of Functional Dyspepsia?

Abstract

Aim of review. Interpretation of published evidence on the relationship between the excessive belching syndrome and functional dyspepsia (FD) and their management in patient care.Key points. According to the Rome IV criteria of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID), excessive belching in the absence of other dyspeptic symptoms is to be considered a manifestation of the excessive belching syndrome, which can be of gastric or supragastric nature. Combination of high-resolution manometry and impedancemetry allows an accurate diagnosis of belching and selection of optimal treatment strategy. Belching complicated by other symptoms of dyspepsia is to be considered yet another FD symptom according to the Rome IV criteria of FGID. Prokinetics are recommended to relieve belching in such cases.Conclusion. Understanding the relationship between the excessive belching syndrome and FD requires further research.