Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in the Elderly
Abstract: Irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS) is one of the most commonly encountered functional
gastrointestinal disorders in the elderly. IBS is characterized by abdominal
pain and altered bowel habits in the absence of specific organic pathology. The
diagnosis of IBS usually depends primarily on established clinical criteria.
Currently, Rome III criteria are the criteria of choice for defining IBS.
However, aging itself is categorized as one of the alarm symptoms in the
diagnosis of IBS that may warrant further investigation. Therefore, exclusion
of organic diseases, using several investigations, is of paramount important in
the older patients. In general, the treatment of IBS in the elderly is not
different from the younger populations. However, greater caution needs to be
considered before treating with drugs because of the altered risk-benefit
profile in the elderly. Several studies have shown a strong relationship of IBS
with psychiatric conditions. Thus, psychological treatments should also be
considered in the management of IBS in the elderly.
Key words: irritabel bowel
syndrome, elderly, management
Author: Indra Kurniawan,
Marcellus S Kolopaking
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg140315
