What is already known about this topic? Diarrhea and constipation are common gastrointestinal disorders among older adults that significantly impact quality of life and increase healthcare burden. What is added by this report? Using nationally representative data from the 2024 China Survey of Aging and Health (CAHS), this study found that the weighted prevalence of diarrhea and constipation among adults aged ≥65 years in China was 14.2% and 16.4%, respectively, with notable regional and demographic variations. What are the implications for public health practice? This study provides an epidemiological profile of gastrointestinal disorders in older Chinese adults and identifies high-risk populations and regions to inform targeted prevention and management strategies.
Chi et al. (Thu,) studied this question.