BOWEL DISORDERS IMPAIR FUNCTIONAL STATUS AND QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN THE ELDERLY - A POPULATION-BASED STUDY

Background. Little is known about the relationship between chronic col onic symptoms and quality of life in the elderly. Our aim was to evalu ate whether functional bowel symptoms are associated with impaired fun ctional status and well-being. Methods. A random sample of 704 Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents 65 years of age or older was identified through the Rochester Epidemiology Project. They were mailed a valid s ymptom questionnaire which included the Medical Outcomes Survey. Colon ic and non-colonic symptoms and health care-seeking behavior for gastr ointestinal symptoms were assessed by the Elderly Bowel Symptom Questi onnaire. Scores for physical, role and social functioning, mental heal th, bodily pain, and health perception were obtained from the Medical Outcomes Survey (MOS). Results. The response rate was 75%. Irritable b owel syndrome and non-colonic symptoms were associated with overall po orer function. The following, in addition to age, gender, and overall functioning score, were found to discriminate asymptomatic controls fr om symptomatic groups: for constipation, only pain; for diarrhea, only role functioning; and for fecal incontinence, role functioning and cu rrent health. The presence of other chronic illness, defined by medica tion use and impact on activities, did not confound the relationship b etween colonic symptoms and MOS scores. Conclusions. Functional bowel disorders appear to interfere with daily living and quality of life in elderly persons.