Dyspepsia in the Community Is Linked to Smoking and Aspirin Use but Not to Helicobacter pylori Infection

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Abstract
DYSPEPSIA, defined as chronic or recurrent pain or discomfort centered in the upper part of the abdomen, is one of the most common reasons why patients seek medical help in family practice.1 Approximately one quarter of persons in the general population have dyspepsia; most have a functional rather than a definite structural cause for their complaints.1-3 Dyspepsia, in the absence of peptic ulceration, usually has no clear anatomical or physiological correlate, and thus the diagnosis is made based purely on the medical history and exclusion of other disease. It has been estimated that there are more than 2 million outpatient consultations for dyspepsia annually in the United States, although only approximately 25% of those with dyspepsia seek medical help; pain severity, anxiety, and fear of an underlying serious disease have been identified as important reasons for consultation.3