title: Gastric emptying rate in the elderly: implications for drug therapy.
abstract: The effect of the aging process on gastric emptying was studied in 11 elderly subjects (mean age, 77) and in 7 young healthy volunteers (mean age, 26). Gastric emptying rates were assessed by a modified sequential scinti-scanning technique after administration of the nonabsorbable chelated radiopharmaceutical 99mTc-DTPA. The rate of emptying, expressed as half-time (T 1/2e) in minutes, was significantly longer (p less than 0.001) in the elderly subjects (mean apparent T 1/2e = 123.23 min) compared to the young healthy volunteers (mean apparent T 1/2e = 49.69 min). Clinical implications of these findings are discussed, particularly with respect to the rate and extent of drug absorption in elderly persons.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; D013667:Technetium; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D013667:Technetium; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate