# IMPACT OF FUNCTIONAL BOWEL DISEASE IN THE ELDERLY

> **NIH NIH R01** · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · 1993 · $244,640

## Abstract

Most of the data on diseases of the bowel concern younger individuals, and
there is a paucity of information on the effects of aging on
gastrointestinal symptoms and pathophysiology.  Moreover, the effect of
colonic disorders on functional status and well being is largely
unexplored.  Chronic idiopathic constipation and chronic abdominal pain
associated with an abnormal bowel habit in the absence of organic disease
(irritable bowel syndrome [IBS]) are common and important functional bowel
diseases in the community.  The pathogenesis of these disorders is unknown,
although they may be accompanied by demonstrable pathophysiological
abnormalities.  The overall goals of this proposal are to determine the
prevalence of chronic gastrointestinal symptoms (including constipation,
diarrhea, and fecal incontinence) and functional bowel disease in the
elderly, and to explore the pathogenesis and impact on quality of life of
functional bowel disease.  Specifically, we aim to assess the prevalence of
individual gastrointestinal symptoms, as well as particular functional
syndromes in a community, using a validated questionnaire.  This phase will
also address whether psychosocial factors influence which elderly persons
with symptoms present to physicians (and which do not), and whether certain
health habits (smoking, alcohol, analgesics) or medications (including
laxatives or enemas) play a role.  Based on this information, we will then
identify subpopulations with well-characterized symptom clusters (chronic
painless constipation, constipation-predominant IBS, diarrhea-predominant
IBS).  In these subgroups, we will test the hypotheses that the following,
alone or in combination, are of relevance to pathogenesis:  a) dietary
factors (including fiber) and overall nutrition and b) colonic dysfunction
as reflected by altered transit of orally nutrition and b) colonic
dysfunction as reflected by altered transit of orally ingested markers and,
in a random sample of those with chronic constipation and prolonged colonic
transit, a new scintigraphic assessment.  We will also test the hypothesis
that psychological distress (including depression), lack of social support
and poor coping strategies impact negatively on symptom severity and
functional status.  These approaches will be facilitated by interaction
between Mayo's Rochester Epidemiology Project and the physiological
expertise of the Gastroenterology Research Unit.  This proposal should help
elucidate the genesis and impact of these important, highly morbid
conditions in the elderly.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3121297
- **Project number:** 5R01AG009440-02
- **Recipient organization:** MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER
- **SAM.gov UEI:** Y2K4F9RPRRG7
- **Principal Investigator:** NICHOLAS J TALLEY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1993
- **Award amount:** $244,640
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1991-09-30 → 1995-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3121297

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3121297, IMPACT OF FUNCTIONAL BOWEL DISEASE IN THE ELDERLY (5R01AG009440-02). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3121297. Licensed CC0.

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