Nausea and Vomiting: An Overview of Mechanisms and Treatment in Older Patients

Esmé Finlay, MD, Fellow, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Joseph B. Straton, MD, MSCE, Chief Medical Director, Wissahickon Hospice; Assistant Professor, Family Medicine and Community Health; Assistant Professor, Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Jonathan R. Gavrin, MD, Director, Symptom Management and Palliative Care; Clinical Associate Professor, Anesthesiology and Critical Care; Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Nausea and emesis are distressing symptoms that can contribute to malnutrition, dehydration, and decreased quality of life in older patients. Dopaminergic, cholinergic, histaminergic, serotonergic, and neurokinin receptor mechanisms play roles in the causation of nausea. Pharmacologic therapy targeted at these and other mechanisms is necessary to effectively treat the symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Multidrug regimens that target multiple mechanisms are often needed to control persistent symptoms. However, caution is advised when prescribing these medications in older patients, as many of the effective medications can cause sedation, confusion, or delirium. This article describes the mechanisms of nausea and vomiting and reviews effective treatment regimens.
Key words: nausea, vomiting, emesis, antiemetics, older adults.

Changes in Gastrointestinal Functioning with Age

Karen E. Hall, MD, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Michigan Healthcare System; Geriatric Research, Education, and Care Center, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

An understanding of the changes in gastrointestinal function that occur with aging can assist physicians in making patient care decisions. Aging affects many aspects of gastrointestinal function; however, swallowing and colonic function are particularly vulnerable to age-related changes. This explains the high prevalence of swallowing disorders and lower GI tract problems such as constipation and fecal incontinence seen by gastroenterologists and primary care physicians among the older adults they treat. Common comorbid conditions in the geriatric population, such as impairment in cognition and mobility, can affect the treatment of older adults with GI disease. This article highlights important changes in gastrointestinal function that occur with aging.
Key words: dysphagia, constipation, diarrhea, gastrointestinal immunity, gastric function.

An Approach to the Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Management of Unintentional Weight Loss Among Older Adults

Karen L. Smith, MSc, Kunin Lunenfeld Applied Research Unit, Baycrest and Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
Carol Greenwood, PhD, Kunin Lunenfeld Applied Research Unit, Baycrest and Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
Helene Payette, PhD, Director, Research Center on Aging, Health & Social Services Centre - University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC.
Shabbir M.H. Alibhai, MD, MSc, Division of General Internal Medicine & Clinical Epidemiology, University Health Network; Geriatric Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute; Departments of Medicine and Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.

Unintentional weight loss is common among older adults and is associated with significant adverse health outcomes, increased mortality, and progressive disability. The diagnosis is often associated with an underlying illness; however, in as many as one in four older adults with unintentional weight loss, no obvious medical cause can be identified. A variety of nonpharmacologic interventions may improve energy intake and lead to weight gain. The most common approach to the treatment of weight loss among older adults is consumption of high-energy/protein oral supplements between meals as a means of increasing daily energy intake. Involving other health professionals, including a dietitian, may be helpful in the assessment and management plan. In addition, a number of pharmacologic treatments have been investigated, but the potential benefit of these treatments remains unclear.
Key words: weight loss, older adults, malnutrition, oral nutritional supplementation, megestrol.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation among Older Adults

Richard Saad, MD, Lecturer, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
William D. Chey, MD, AGAF, FACG, FACP, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine; Director, GI Physiology Laboratory, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is traditionally considered a disorder of young adulthood; however, it affects adults of all ages, including older adults. As the older population increases so will the impact of IBS in this age group. Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) is believed to be particularly significant given the prevalence of constipation among the aged. At present, the evaluation and management of this disorder has been largely driven by data obtained from younger adults. However, there are numerous aspects of the underlying pathophysiology, evaluation, and treatment of IBS-C that remain unique to older adults, of which the clinician should be cognizant.
Key words: irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, older adults, functional bowel disorder.

Peptic Ulcer Disease in Older Adults

Constantine A. Soulellis, MD, FRCP(C), GI Fellow, McGill University; Division of Gastroenterology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC.
Carlo A. Fallone, MD, FRCP(C), AGA(F), Associate Professor, McGill University; Director, GI Services, Royal Victoria Site of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC.

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a prevalent medical problem among older adults. Several issues unique to older adults impart variability and complexity to PUD, making this entity difficult to diagnose and treat. Age-related gastrointestinal physiological changes, increasing prevalence of Helicobacter pylori, comorbidities, and polypharmacy (especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug [NSAID] use) are factors that potentiate ulcer formation. Older adults may present with few or none of the usual features of PUD, often delaying diagnosis and therapy. The cornerstones of therapy include cessation of NSAIDs, proton pump inhibition, and eradication of H. pylori if present.
Key words: peptic ulcer, older adults, NSAIDs, Helicobacter pylori.

Gastrointestinal Problems Common, Burdensome among Older Patients

I am writing this editorial while attending on a general medical service at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. Whenever I do this, my first impression is that general medicine is really acute geriatric medicine, and I am incredibly thankful for my background in geriatrics. It is also amazing how often gastrointestinal (GI) problems are affecting these patients, regardless of the reason for their admission. In the past 10 days, I have seen two older patients with massive upper GI bleeds, a patient with unexplained weight loss over a few months, and a seemingly limitless number of patients with constipation severe enough to affect their medical condition and require aggressive management. One of the patients admitted last night required digital disimpaction, unfortunately--for the patient and the medical student who performed it alike. This edition of Geriatrics & Aging, with a focus on gastrointestinal disease, has come at the perfect time for me. I am describing hospitalized patients, but these problems are even more common among older community-dwelling adults, and in the outpatient setting, GI complaints are even more likely to be the chief complaint, rather than just an associated (albeit important) problem.

This issue covers most of the GI problems I have been facing over the last four weeks. Having had two admissions with GI bleeds severe enough to cause syncope in the last week alone, I was particularly pleased to receive our CME article by Drs. Constantine Soulellis and Carlo Fallone on “Peptic Ulcer Disease in Older Adults.” The topic of constipation-predominant IBS is covered by Drs. Richard Saad and William Chey in their article “Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation in Older Adults.” Drs. Shabbir Alibhai, Helene Payette, and Carol Greenwood, along with Karen Smith tackle a common, and vexing issue in their article “An Approach to the Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Management of Unintentional Weight Loss among Older Adults,” which is the second part of the series following their initial discussion of the prevalence, screening for, and diagnosis of unintended weight loss that appeared in Geriatrics & Aging’s November/December 2006 issue.

For our CVD column this month, Drs. Anita Asgar, Renee Schiff, and Reda Ibrahim provide a state-of-the-art update in their article, “Management of Hypertension among Older Adults: Where Are We Now?” Next, Sylvia Davidson tackles a common and ever-growing area of dementia management in her article on “A Systematic Approach to Understanding Behaviour.”

Our other columns this month are tied into our theme’s focus: Our “Biology of Aging” column this month is by Dr. Karen Hall and concerns “General Changes in GI Functioning with Age.” Finally, our palliative care column is also linked to our issue’s theme: Drs. Esmé Finlay, Joseph Straton, and Jonathan Gavrin discuss “Nausea and Vomiting: An Overview of Mechanisms and Treatment in Older Patients.”

Enjoy this issue,

Barry Goldlist

The Importance of Digestive Wellness in Older Adults

Anil Minocha, MD, FACP, FACG, Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA.
Thomas Abell, MD, FACG, Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in the older adult offers challenges for diagnosis and treatment; however, very little research has been done in this regard. IBS has significant impact on the quality of life, especially in frail individuals. The diagnostic criteria have not been validated in older subjects. Diagnostic strategy needs to be modified to account for the expanded list of differential diagnosis, including high prevalence of colorectal cancer. There is a lack of evidence related to the efficacy of the treatment regimens used. Therapy should focus on specific symptoms and be matched for the potential for side effects and drug interactions. The prognosis for IBS is excellent and in a majority of cases symptoms disappear within five years.

Key words: Irritable bowel syndrome, Functional bowel disorder, Rome II criteria, older adults, spastic colon

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Older Adults: An Update

Mary Anne Cooper, MSc, MD, FRCPC, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto; Lecturer, Sunnybrook and Women's Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common condition responsible for significant morbidity in older adults. It causes disease in the esophagus, and it is increasingly recognized as a cause of extra-esophageal symptoms such as chronic cough, adult-onset asthma, and hoarseness. Despite significant symptoms, endoscopy may be negative. Endoscopy-negative reflux disease may be a unique disease entity within the acid reflux group of disorders that includes erosive esophagitis and Barrett’s esophagus. Regardless of the symptoms or endoscopic findings, treatment remains geared to reducing the contact time between acid and sensitive tissue through lifestyle modification measures, acid suppression, and improved upper gastrointestinal motility.

Key words: GERD, extra-esophageal reflux, endoscopy-negative reflux disease, acid suppression, older adults.