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Effects of ageing on gastrointestinal motor function
1Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine 239, Hvidovre Hospital, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Kettegård Allé 30, DK-2650 Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark. jan.lysgaard.madsen@hh.hosp.dk
Age and Ageing
|February 13, 2004
Summary
Normal aging slows colonic transit but does not affect gastric emptying or small intestinal motility in healthy older adults. Smoking accelerated colonic transit in all participants.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Gerontology
- Physiology
Background:
- Limited data exists on how aging impacts gastrointestinal motility.
- This study investigates the propulsive effects across the entire GI tract in healthy older individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of normal aging on gastric emptying, small intestinal transit, and colonic transit rates.
- To compare gastrointestinal motility in healthy older adults versus younger adults.
- To examine the influence of gender, BMI, and smoking on these motility variables.
Main Methods:
- 16 healthy older volunteers (mean age 81) and 16 younger controls (mean age 24) participated.
- Gastric emptying, small intestinal transit, and colonic transit were measured using gamma camera technique.
- Postprandial antral contractions were also assessed.
Main Results:
- Advanced age did not affect gastric emptying or small intestinal transit.
- Older individuals exhibited significantly slower colonic transit compared to younger individuals (P = 0.0008).
- Smokers demonstrated faster colonic transit than non-smokers (P = 0.0022).
Conclusions:
- Normal aging appears to diminish the propulsive capacity of the colon.
- Gastric and small intestinal motility remain unaffected by advanced age in healthy individuals.