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Influence of age on rectal tone and sensitivity to distension in healthy subjects
Author(s) -
E. Lagier,
M Delvaux,
Bruno Vellas,
Jean Fioramonti,
Lionel Buéno,
J. L. Albarède,
Jacques Frexinos
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
neurogastroenterology and motility
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.489
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1365-2982
pISSN - 1350-1925
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2982.1999.00145.x
Subject(s) - barostat , medicine , distension , sensation , meal , volunteer , irritable bowel syndrome , anesthesia , sensory threshold , psychology , neuroscience , agronomy , biology , cognitive science
Hypersensitivity to rectal distension is frequently observed in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, few data are available about the influence of age on rectal sensory thresholds and tone. The aim of this study was to measure rectal sensory thresholds and tone with a barostat in 12 healthy subjects (aged 86 ± 4 years, eight females, four males) as compared with 12 young healthy male controls (26 ± 1 years). Isobaric phasic distensions were performed in the fasted state (increment of 4 mmHg, steps of 5 min, interval of 5 min). Rectal tone changes were then measured as changes in volume of the barostat bag, the pressure being kept constant. After a baseline recording of 1 h, a 1000‐kcal meal was served and the tone recorded until return to baseline. Rectal sensory thresholds were significantly higher in aged subjects. First sensation, sensation of urge to defaecate and sensation of pain were triggered at 21.1 ± 3.2 mmHg, 30.4 ± 5.4 mmHg and 40.5 ± 5.0 mmHg, respectively, in aged subjects, vs 13.3 ± 4.6 mmHg (P < 0.05), 20.7 ± 1.0 mmHg (P < 0.001), 31.3 ± 1.7 mmHg (P < 0.001) in controls. Rectal compliance was not significantly different between the two groups. Mean barostat bag volume was 104 ± 13 mL in fasting aged subjects and 125 ± 23 mL in controls (NS). After the meal, the barostat bag volume decreased by 69 ± 11% during 85 ± 17 min in aged subjects and 75 ± 14% during 89 ± 15 min in young controls (NS). Rectal sensory thresholds triggered by distension are increased in aged healthy subjects while compliance and tone are not different. Age should be considered as a confounding factor when studying rectal sensitivity and further studies in aged patients with IBS should include a group of control subjects within the same range of age as studied patients.