Selecting diagnostic parameters of functional dyspepsia based on pattern identification: Step 1-Systematic literature review and expert consensus process

IntroductionAlthough there have been many efforts to diagnose functional dyspepsia (FD), an objective diagnosis is not easily made. Korean medicine (KM) doctors have attempted to study parameters for diagnosing FD in clinical studies. The aim of this study was to select diagnostic parameters of FD based on pattern identification in KM.MethodsFirst, we searched the relevant literature with Korean authors, recorded in 7 databases, from their inception to May 2016. Second, we consulted expert opinion to extract the diagnostic parameters from a standard questionnaire of pattern identification for FD in KM. Finally, we selected the diagnostic parameters from literature review findings and expert consensus process.ResultsWe selected data on diagnostic parameters (including medical imaging parameters, such as gastric emptying time, mapping of skin surface temperature, and geometry and color information of the upper abdomen; biosignal detection, such as pressure pain threshold, pressure pain changes, and pain reduction change after thermal stimulation; medical laboratory testing such as oral moisture on the buccal mucosa, submandibular salivary flow, and saliva pH; and a self-reporting standard questionnaire based on pain visual analogue scale, frequency, and duration of pain in the upper abdomen) of FD obtained through literature review and expert consensus.ConclusionsThis study is important because it presents the diagnostic parameters of FD based on pattern types in KM. This is a significant first step toward quantitative assessment for the development of a diagnostic device.