Demographic and clinical profile of functional dyspepsia patients in a Northern Indian tertiary care setting

Background: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are prevalent and diagnostically challenging conditions that lack structural abnormalities, but significantly contribute to patient morbidity. This study aimed to analyze the demographic and baseline clinical parameters of patients presenting with functional dyspepsia symptoms in a tertiary care hospital in Northern India. Methods: This analysis was based on baseline data from a randomized controlled trial involving 71 patients (aged 18–75 years) with non-structural gastrointestinal complaints. Prior to randomization and treatment initiation, all patients underwent complete blood count, liver and renal function tests, fasting blood sugar measurement, electrocardiography (ECG), upper GI endoscopy (UGIE) and Helicobacter pylori biopsy. Demographic and baseline clinical data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and comparative tests. Results: The mean age of patients was 46.37±15.2 years, with the highest representation in the 51–60 years age group. Females predominated slightly (56.34%). All patients had normal UGIE and ECG findings and tested negative for Helicobacter pylori. Laboratory parameters were within normal limits for both sexes. Most patients had moderate gastrointestinal symptom scores before treatment, as assessed by GDSS, SF-LDQ and VAS scores. Conclusions: Functional Dyspepsia is more common in middle-aged individuals and slightly more prevalent in females. Despite the absence of structural findings, symptom severity is considerable, necessitating a comprehensive assessment and individualized management strategies. This study provides valuable insights into the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with FGID in a tertiary care setting in Northern India.