Abstract
In order to identify various existing problems associated with the gastroenterological examinations of advanced-age people and to establish the direction of future establishment of gastroenterological examinations, we have conducted a comparative study on the screening results obtained through a one-day complete physical examination of 100, 199 people, who have been subjected to gastroenterological screening at Kagoshima-ken Kohseiren Medical Health Care Center during the past 10 years. We have studied the results of the screening, comparing those of the advanced-age group (according to our definition, people 70 years of age and older) with those of the control group of juvenile- and middle-aged subjects. The advanced-age group constituted 5.1% of the subjects screened. The screening procedures consisted of gastrofluororadiography, immunochemical tests for occult blood in feces, and abdominal ultrasonography.
Our study has shown the following results:
(1) Screening: It took a longer time to apply gastrofluororadiography to advanced-age subjects, thus resulting in a less and less efficient performance of screening with advancing age. No particular problems were observed during intestinal screening. However, there was a noticeable tendency toward insufficient imaging quality in numerous cases of ultrasonography.
(2) Thorough examination: Detailed examination of the stomach did not yield any particular findings. There were many advanced-age subjects on whom total colonoscopy was impossible to perform. Regarding ultrasonography, its accuracy in thorough examinations is still subject to significant doubts.
However, despite such problems and difficulties, the effectiveness of gastroenterological screenings has improved over time.
In conclusion, we will positively promote the application of gastroenterological examinations to advanced-age people, with full concern for their comfort, and will seek to improve our skills in this regard.
