Hormon regulated symptom fluctuation in female patients with functional dyspepsia

Aims: Symptoms fluctuate in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). Animal models suggest modulation of visceral sensitivity by gonadal hormones with progesterone exerting anti- and estrogen pro-nociceptive effects (Pain 2005 Oct;117(3):433–42). We hypothesized that progesterone/estradiol levels are associated with symptom manifestations in FD. Thus we aimed to characterize plasma progesterone/estradiol levels and their association with 1) symptom fluctuation and 2) visceral sensitivity in female patients with FD. Methods: 15 female patients with FD according to Rome II were studied on two visits, 6 weeks apart…