Age-related functional gastrointestinal disorders

摘要

The demographic development will lead to a disproportionate increase of older people and to a significant increase of functional gastrointestinal disorders including dysphagia due to motility and reflux-related disorders, nausea and vomiting by gastrointestinal dysfunction and abdominal and pelvic pain caused by chronic obstipation, stool impaction and incontinence. This implies significant consequences with regard to the development of weight loss, anorexia, social disadvantages and increased mortality with serious socio-economic burden. Ageing processes are determined by differentiated neurogeneration of the myenteric plexus (cholinergic degeneration) through reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and alteration of protective and regenerative processes. Age-related gastrointestinal dysfunctions may be caused by the ageing gastrointestinal tract itself or by other age-related diseases such as tumour, neurological or inflammatory diseases, anatomic changes, therapeutic medication, polymorbidity or malnutrition. Because of the significant therapeutic options, differential diagnostic work-up is mandatory also in elderly patients.