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Irritable bowel syndrome in the elderly: An overlooked problem?
A Agrawal1, M H Khan, P J Whorwell
1Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, UK.
Summary
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is often missed in older adults, despite common non-colonic symptoms like lethargy and headaches. Early diagnosis in elderly care can improve quality of life and reduce unnecessary investigations.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Geriatric Medicine
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) frequently presents with non-colonic symptoms in secondary care, leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate referrals.
- IBS is often overlooked in elderly patients due to comorbidities and a misconception that it primarily affects younger individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and diagnostic challenges of irritable bowel syndrome in an elderly care clinic population.
- To identify common non-colonic symptoms associated with IBS in the elderly and assess diagnostic accuracy.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted on 230 consecutive elderly patients (aged 65-94) attending an elderly care clinic.
- Data collected included referral patterns, IBS symptoms, disease duration, non-colonic symptomatology, and previous investigations.
Main Results:
- Of 211 completers, 22% exhibited IBS-suggestive symptoms, yet only one patient received the diagnosis.
- Symptoms significantly more prevalent in IBS patients included constant lethargy, headaches, backache, chest pain, and urinary frequency.
- Independent predictors for IBS were bloating, stool urgency, and headache.
Conclusions:
- Irritable bowel syndrome is significantly under-recognized in elderly care settings, even with negative investigations.
- Diagnosing IBS in the elderly, even with co-existing conditions, can alleviate suffering, enhance quality of life, and prevent redundant medical testing.
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