Gastric Emptying and Small‐bowel Transit Rate in the Elderly

Abstract

Gastric emptying of liquid and small bowel transit in a group of elderly patients (mean age 79 yr) was studied, with the elderly subjects compared to 2 groups of young controls. In 14 elderly patients, the initial rate of gastric emptying was significantly higher than in 14 young controls: the 5 min volume was 159 .+-. 30 ml (mean .+-. SEM [standard error of the mean]) in the elderly patients and 294 .+-. 22 ml in the young controls (P < 0.005). The 2 groups gastric emptying rates after 5 min were not significantly different. Small-bowel transit in 15 elderly patients was not significantly different from that found in 15 younger volunteers. Apparently, gastric homeostatic mechanisms are impaired in the elderly.