Gastrointestinal Disorders in Old Age

Abstract

399 elderly patients were studied in order to establish the frequency of different gastrointestinal diseases and to see to what extent gastrointestinal problems influenced the clinical picture and the final outcome. 276 patients were hospitalized because of medical emergencies. 123 patients were chronically ill. In the first group, 26.8% (74) had major gastrointestinal problems. In 42% of the remaining patients, important functional or organic gastrointestinal disorders were present. In the second group, 46% of the patients had gastrointestinal diseases. Lesions of the digestive system are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the aged.

Coexistence of constipation and incontinence in children and adults

“…As in the pediatric field, the association between fecal incontinence (FI) and constipation has long been recognised in geriatric medicine [55], with fecal impaction accepted as being the most common cause of involuntary stool loss in the elderly, typically as ‘overflow’ [55–60]. However, although a considerable body of literature exists regarding impaction-related incontinence at opposite ends of the age spectrum, there is a striking paucity of information in non-geriatric adults; indeed, in a number of recent authoritative reviews, the concept that constipation / rectal evacuatory dysfunction may be a pathoetiological factor in the development of FI is simply overlooked, or, at best, given limited acknowledgement [60–64].…”

Complications of the “Mayo” Enema A Lesson in Iatrogenic Illness

“…Problems with bowel habits commonly plague older people 1 . Fecal impaction is the end result of prolonged fecal loading.…”

“…Constipation and obstipation in geriatric patients are common clinical problems 1 . Fecal impaction as a result of acute disease frequently accompanies the ill older patient to the emergency ward.…”

Primary Hodgkin's Disease of the Stomach in a 72‐Year‐Old Man

“…Gastrointestinal endoscopy is the most useful technique to establish an adequate diagnosis because of the opportunity to perform biopsies. Moreover, endoscopy can be performed in the elderly without major risks (9, 10). Therefore, elderly patients with gastric tumors should be examined as completely as younger adults.…”