As in previous years, a huge number of studies were presented at the Congress of the American Gastroenterology Association (Digestive Diseases Week [DDW]), some of which were better than others. The present article attempts to extract and summarize the most interesting findings reported. In general terms, certain technological advances have been consolidated, with full incorporation into clinical practice, such as impedancemetry and high-resolution manometry. New physiopathological data are coming to light that increasingly indicate the inextricable link between organic and psychological factors (the biopsychosocial model) in
functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). Despite the high hopes that the Rome III criteria would improve the diagnosis of FGID and especially that of functional
dyspepsia, their practical application has been fairly discouraging. Moreover, at least two studies have demonstrated that these criteria cannot be used to differentiate subtypes of functional
dyspepsia and that there is wide overlap with
gastroesophageal reflux disease. New data were presented on the role of genetic, microinflammatory and psychological factors in the etiopathogenesis of the two main FGID: functional
dyspepsia and
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The results on the safety and efficacy of
acotiamide in functional
dyspepsia and of
linaclotide and
prucalopride in idiopathic and IBS-associated
constipation were also presented. Several studies, and even meta-analyses, have demonstrated the utility of
biofeedback in the treatment of
constipation. Even so, the efficacy of this
therapy has been questioned due to certain methodological deficiencies in some studies. In DDW 2011, studies confirming the utility of
biofeedback, whether hospital- or home-based were presented, in dyssynergy
constipation. The present article also mentions certain features of special interest in the diagnosis and treatment of
rumination syndrome, thoracic
pain of possible esophageal origin and
cannabinoid-induced hyperemesis syndrome.