Functional abdominal pain in the elderly

Functional abdominal pain is a common and distressing symptom in the elderl y. The possibility of organic diseases causing pain must be excluded before this diagnosis can he made with confidence. Although aging affects gastroi ntestinal motor and sensory function in several ways, the pathophysiology o f functional pain in the elderly is incompletely understood. Psychological factors may play a role and should be carefully assessed and considered in management. Judicious pharmacological therapy is often effective for pain a nd other symptoms.