Functional Abdominal Pain Syndrome: A Review
Authors:   Research Center of Neurology, Moscow, Russia, Maksimova M.Yu. , Sharov M.N. ,   Russian University of Medicine, Moscow, Russia, Zaitsev A.V. ,   Russian University of Medicine, Moscow, Russia, Prokofyeva Yu.S. ,   Russian University of Medicine, Moscow, Russia, Korsunskaya I.L. ,   City Clinical Hospital S.I. Spasokukptskogo, Moscow, Russia, Rachin A.P. ,   National Association of Experts in Comorbid Neurology, Moscow, Russia, Rachin S.A. ,   National Association of Experts in Comorbid Neurology, Moscow, Russia, Parsamyan R.R. ,   Saratov State Medical University, Saratov, Russia
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION. About 40–60% of adult patients with complaints of abdominal pain suffer from functional gastrointestinal disorders. Currently, functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract are associated with disturbances in the gut-brain interaction. Abdominal pain syndrome can be one of the leading manifestations of irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia syndrome and abdominal migraine. The exclusion of organic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract is an essential condition for the diagnosis of functional disorders. The basic principles of the treatment of functional abdominal pain syndrome should be aimed at correcting the psychological disorders involved in the formation of pain sensation. MATERIAL AND METHODS. A review of the literature on this topic was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, Research Gate, Elsevier. The following phrases were used to search for literature: “Functional abdominal pain syndrome”, “Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract”. DISCUSSION. Functional abdominal pain syndrome is a rather complex and ambiguous disease, which is based on complex cerebroabdominal connections (direct and reverse). This diagnosis is an exception, in other words, the diagnosis takes place when there are no obvious organic causes of the disease. The diagnosis of the functional abdominal pain syndrome is long and complex and includes various instrumental and laboratory methods of examination. Various methods are used in the treatment of the functional abdominal pain syndrome, ranging from non-drug methods (cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnotherapy) and ending with the use of medicines (antidepressants). It is important to keep in mind that the diagnosis and treatment of the functional abdominal pain syndrome requires the active participation of doctors of different specialties who are able to build a personalized diagnostic and therapeutic route using a biopsychosociocultural approach. CONCLUSION. Functional abdominal pain syndrome attracts special attention in the diagnostic and therapeutic aspect. Although the exclusion of organic diseases is an essential condition for the diagnosis of the functional abdominal pain syndrome, it is necessary to take into account the connection and involvement of mental factors in the phenomenon of abdominal pain. Taking into account the complexity of the mechanisms involved in the development of functional gastrointestinal diseases, the basic principles of functional abdominal pain syndrome treatment should be aimed at correcting psychological disorders involved in the formation of pain sensation. KEYWORDS: functional abdominal pain syndrome, disturbances in the gut-brain interaction, interaction