An <i>in vitro</i>method and a kit for the diagnosis of non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) in a subject suspected of having NUD, comprises identifying in the subject a dysfunction of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) receptors characterised by the subject's response to CRH-induced adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) production by estimating the level of ACTH in a sample of blood or a blood fraction obtained from said subject relative to a control. The method can be used to diagnose NUD in patients who are infected with <i>Helicobacter pylori</i>and those who are free of such infection.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF NON-ULCER DYSPEPSIA BASED ON HYPOTHALAMIC-PITUITARY-ADRENAL AXIS ABNORMALITY