Barium examinations of the stomach were carried out on 234 elderly subjects whose age exceeded 65. The findings were compared with those obtained from 100 control subjects whose age was below 64.
Following results were obtained:
1) Ptosis and hypotonia were observed more frequently in the elderly subjects than in the controls. Kyphosis of the spine in the elderly subjects may caused these changes, as similar changes were frequently observed in the control subjects when X-rays were taken at 45° anteflexion.
2) Loss of rugosity and/or serrate pattern was more frequent in the elderly than in the control subjects.
3) A compression change to the stomach was characteristic of the elderly subjects. This appeared to be a result of kyphosis of the spine and not to obesity.
4) With regard to the present study, the incidence of stomach diseases such as hiatal hernia, stomach cancer, ulcer, diverticulum and elevated lesion was higher in the elderly subjects as compared to the controls.
