Gastric Emptying Rate in the Elderly: Implications for Drug Therapy

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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 scintiscanning technique after administration of the nonabsorbable chelated radiopharmaceutical 99m Tc‐DTPA. The rate of emptying, expressed as half‐time (T 1/2e ) in minutes, was significantly longer (p < 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.

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