Gastrointestinal motility problems in the elderly patient

Statistics abound demonstrating the aging of the population, and this comes as no news to physicians caring for an increasing number of elderly patients. This group experiences the expected age-related physiologic declines, including systems critical to integrative functions such as immunologic, neurologic, and metabolic systems. Although an increased prevalence of several common gastrointestinal disorders occurs in the elderly person, aging per se appears to have less direct effect on most gastrointestinal functions, in large part because of the functional reserve of the gastrointestinal tract. Although irritable bowel symptoms decrease with aging, there seems to be an increase in many gastrointestinal disorders of function and motility. The gastroenterologist will frequently encounter elderly patients with complaints of dysphagia, anorexia, dyspepsia, and disorders of colonic function. Understanding age-related changes in gastrointestinal physiology and effects of common comorbid illnesses enhances the ability to evaluate and treat these common, troublesome symptoms.