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15 - Endocrine, metabolic and miscellaneous causes of diarrhoea

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 August 2009

Ranjit N. Ratnaike
Affiliation:
University of Adelaide
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Summary

Diarrhoea may be a consequence of endocrine disorders, hormone-secreting tumours, metabolic illnesses and a variety of miscellaneous conditions.

Hyperthyroidism

Between 15 and 18 per cent of patients with thyrotoxicosis are above the age of 60 years. There is a female predominance of four to one.

Only about 25 per cent of elderly patients with thyrotoxicosis manifest the disease clinically. In the majority the presentation is that of ‘apathetic hyperthyroidism’ a term coined by Lahey in 1931, and characterized by lethargy and apathy, and the absence of eye signs and tachycardia. Cardiovascular effects such as atrial fibrillation and the attendent risk of embolism produce the most frequent and severe morbidity in this age group. Occasionally, diarrhoea attributed to gastrointestinal hypermotility may be the only symptom and of sufficient severity to cause dehydration and hypokalaemia. In a number of patients steatorrhoea is present. The mechanism is unknown.

Hypothyroidism

In the elderly patient the symptoms of hypothyroidism are insidious and may be present for years before the diagnosis is made. Constipation is the pre-eminent gastrointestinal symptom. Diarrhoea sometimes occurs and may be associated with malabsorption and steatorrhoea. Decreased intestinal motility and prolonged intestinal transit time could predispose to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and diarrhoea (see Chapter 9).

Diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is common in the elderly. Diarrhoea in patients with diabetes mellitus is well documented, especially in those on insulin treatment with poorly controlled blood glucose or evidence of peripheral vascular disease and neuropathy. Diabetic diarrhoea is classically nocturnal, though not invariably so.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 1999

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