Influence of aging on gastrointestinal transit time. An ultrasonographic and radiologic study

Abstract

Rationale and objectives: To assess and compare gastrointestinal (GI) rates in young and aged men under homogeneous conditions of weight and dietetic habits.

Methods: Gastric emptying time was evaluated by ultrasound. GI transit time was studied radiologically using radiopaque markers.

Results: Final gastric emptying time in elderly subjects was 335 +/- 31 minutes (mean +/- SD) versus 245 +/- 25 minutes in young subjects (P < 0.001). Total GI transit time showed no significant difference between the two groups. Intestinal transit time includes both small bowel and colonic transit; small bowel and colonic transit was not separated in this study.

Conclusions: Delayed gastric emptying of solid foods could result from progressive autonomic nerve dysfunction occurring with aging. The stomach does not seem to be the segment of the digestive tract that is primarily responsible for the alteration of total GI time.