Gastrointestinal problems in the elderly.

ABSTRACT

Improvements in nutrition and health care have led to increased life expectancy in our country, which occasioned this review of gastrointestinal problems in the elderly. Some gastrointestinal symptoms may be secondary to age-related physiological changes (e.g., presbyoesophagus). Certain diseases (e.g., diverticulosis) may be more common in the elderly. On the other hand, the elderly may have unusual presentations of common diseases (e.g., complicated peptic ulcer disease). Each of these types of problems has been detailed in this review. Included is a preliminary analysis of hospitalised elderly patients which illuminates serious gastrointestinal problems afflicting the elderly in India.