Functional dyspepsia and eating disorders: a fine line

Eating disorders (ED) and functional dyspepsia (FD) share common pathophysiological mechanisms, such as dysfunctions in the central processing of visceral signals and alterations in specific brain areas. This descriptive study aimed to evaluate the clinical and pathophysiological association between both conditions. In an observational study, the prevalence of dyspeptic symptoms was analyzed in patients with various ED subtypes, showing an FD prevalence of up to 90% in anorexia nervosa and 83.3% in bulimia nervosa. The most prevalent symptoms were postprandial fullness (47%) and early satiety (39%), while epigastric pain occurred in 27% of cases. The findings suggest a bidirectional relationship between ED and FD, in which dyspeptic symptoms may be secondary to ED or mistaken for symptoms of these disorders, posing a diagnostic challenge. Additionally, common risk factors such as anxiety, intestinal dysbiosis, and gut microbiota alterations were identified, which may mediate the interaction between both conditions. Differential diagnosis between ED and FD must be thorough, as their symptoms may overlap. Therapeutic management should be comprehensive and multidisciplinary, taking into account psychiatric, neurogastroenterological, and nutritional comorbidity. Early detection in young populations is crucial to prevent serious psychosocial and physical complications.