Abdominal syndromes and functional ability in the elderly.
Data concerning a random cohort of 1,119 70-year-old subjects were analyzed to evaluate the association between Upper Dyspepsia and Irritable Bowel Syndrome and functional ability. Seven hundred and thirty-four subjects were interviewed about abdominal symptoms and were visited at home by an occupational therapist who evaluated their functional ability. Among the survivors, 94% participated in a follow-up study five years later. Functional ability was registered on validated scales constructed for its measurement in a normal elderly population. It was found that both syndromes occurred more often among subjects with reduced functional ability. A significant association was found between the occurrence of Upper Dyspepsia and a reduction of mobility and lower limb function, and between reduced functional ability and Irritable Bowel Syndrome at the five-year follow-up. It is concluded that abdominal syndromes are associated to functional ability, suggesting that there is a diffuse disorder affecting both smooth and striated muscles.
Kay
L
L
Medical Department C, Glostrup County Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Avlund
K
K
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003109:Colonic Diseases, Functional / Q000453:epidemiology; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017678:Sex Distribution