What is the average age of people with gastroparesis?

September 26, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research, the mean age for patients with idiopathic gastroparesis is often around 41 years, while a larger hospitalized cohort showed a mean of 46.2 years, highlighting the variance. Understanding what is the average age of people with gastroparesis involves examining various patient demographics and underlying causes.

Quick Summary

The average age of a person with gastroparesis varies by cause, with studies showing mean ages from the early 30s to late 50s. Idiopathic forms often present in younger women, while diabetic-related cases typically occur in older patients.

Key Points

Age Variation by Cause: The average age of people with gastroparesis depends on the underlying cause, with younger individuals often having the idiopathic form and older patients more likely to have diabetic-related gastroparesis.
Gender Disparity: Gastroparesis shows a significant female predominance, particularly in adult populations, with some studies reporting that up to 90% of idiopathic cases are in women.
Symptom Differences: Younger patients tend to experience more classic and acute symptoms like nausea and vomiting, while older patients may have more subtle symptoms such as early satiety and bloating.
Diagnostic Challenges: The varied symptomology across age groups, especially the milder presentation in some older adults, can make diagnosis difficult and potentially delayed.
Pediatric Considerations: Although less common, gastroparesis does occur in children, often following a viral infection, and pediatric hospitalizations are frequent among infants and toddlers.
Impact of Comorbidities: Older adults with gastroparesis typically have more coexisting health conditions, which can influence their symptom profile and treatment approach.

Demographics of Gastroparesis Patients

While gastroparesis can affect individuals at any age, from infants to the elderly, the demographic profile shows a few key trends. For instance, gastroparesis is diagnosed more frequently in adults than in children. Several large studies and reviews provide insights into the average age of onset and diagnosis, though the figures can differ based on the patient population studied and the specific type of gastroparesis being considered. The most significant demographic finding, however, is the clear female predominance, particularly in cases where the cause is not diabetes-related. Women account for a high percentage of patients, with some studies finding a female-to-male ratio as high as 4:1.

Average Age by Gastroparesis Type

It is an oversimplification to state a single average age for all people with gastroparesis, as the average varies depending on the specific underlying cause. The three primary types are idiopathic (cause unknown), diabetic, and postsurgical.

Idiopathic Gastroparesis

Idiopathic gastroparesis often affects younger individuals. A National Institutes of Health (NIH) study of 243 patients with idiopathic gastroparesis, for example, found the mean age to be around 41 years. This form frequently impacts women in their 20s and 30s, often with a history of a post-viral illness. Patients with idiopathic gastroparesis and lower body mass index (BMI) tend to be younger than those with higher BMI.

Diabetic Gastroparesis

Diabetic gastroparesis is more prevalent in older age groups compared to the idiopathic form. A study comparing gastroparesis patients with and without diabetes found that diabetic patients were more likely to be older at the time of diagnosis. This correlation is likely due to the length of time an individual has had diabetes, as gastroparesis often arises as a long-term complication of the disease, particularly when blood sugar has been poorly controlled.

Pediatric Gastroparesis

While rarer, gastroparesis in children can occur. Research has shown that a significant number of pediatric hospitalizations for gastroparesis occur in children age five or younger. The causes in children differ, with many cases being idiopathic and following a viral infection. A shift in gender distribution is also noted, with a female predominance becoming more evident during adolescence.

Symptom Variation Across Age Groups

The way gastroparesis presents can change with a person's age. This variability can sometimes lead to diagnostic delays, especially in older adults where symptoms may be less classic.

Younger Patients (under 70)

Younger adults often report more typical and acute gastroparesis symptoms, including:

Severe nausea and vomiting
Significant abdominal pain
Bloating and postprandial fullness
Higher likelihood of receiving aggressive therapies like gastric electrical stimulation (GES)

Older Patients (over 70)

Older adults frequently experience a different set of symptoms, which may be more subtle or easily mistaken for other age-related conditions. Key differences include:

Higher incidence of early satiety and bloating
Lower odds of experiencing severe nausea and vomiting
Increased likelihood of weight loss
Higher prevalence of multiple comorbidities
More often managed with tube feeding (PEG) rather than GES

Comparison of Younger vs. Older Gastroparesis Patients


Feature	Younger Adults	Older Adults
Symptom Profile	More frequent and severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.	More prominent early satiety, bloating, and weight loss. Less frequent vomiting.
Common Cause	Idiopathic (often post-viral) is more common.	Diabetic and medication-related causes are more frequent.
Treatment Focus	Potential for gastric electrical stimulation (GES) or pyloric interventions.	Higher likelihood of nutritional support like PEG tubes.
Associated Factors	Often associated with female gender and lower BMI in idiopathic cases.	Higher prevalence of comorbidities; may be diagnosed later due to subtle symptoms.

Diagnostic Challenges Related to Age

Diagnosing gastroparesis can be challenging for all age groups, but age-related factors contribute to the difficulty. In older patients, for example, the less-pronounced symptoms of nausea and vomiting can mean that a diagnosis is delayed. Their symptoms, such as bloating and early satiety, might be attributed to other common conditions, leading to misdiagnosis. In children, the diagnosis can be complicated by the lack of age-specific normative values for diagnostic tests like gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES). Clinicians must remain vigilant and consider gastroparesis as a possibility when patients of any age present with persistent, unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms.

For more detailed information on diagnostic criteria, you can consult authoritative medical resources such as the NIH website.

Conclusion: A Diverse Condition Across Age Groups

In summary, the average age of people with gastroparesis is not a single number but rather a reflection of different patient populations. Idiopathic gastroparesis disproportionately affects younger women, while diabetic gastroparesis is more common in older adults. Furthermore, the symptoms of the condition can vary with age, leading to differences in presentation and diagnostic complexity. Recognizing these age-related patterns is crucial for effective diagnosis and management of this chronic condition. It is clear that gastroparesis is a diverse and multifaceted syndrome, and a one-size-fits-all approach to understanding its demographics is insufficient.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, gastroparesis does not affect all age groups equally. While it can occur at any age, it is more commonly diagnosed in adults than in children. The prevalence and typical age of onset also differ based on the underlying cause, such as diabetic versus idiopathic.

Yes, there is a difference. Idiopathic gastroparesis often affects younger women, with average ages typically in the 30s and 40s. Diabetic gastroparesis, as a long-term complication of the disease, is more prevalent in older patients who have had diabetes for a significant period.

The exact reasons are not fully understood, but some research suggests a link to hormonal factors and potential post-viral syndromes. It's an area of ongoing research, but many studies consistently report a strong female predominance in idiopathic cases.

Yes, elderly people can and do get gastroparesis. However, their symptoms can differ from those of younger patients, with early satiety and bloating being more common than severe nausea and vomiting. This atypical presentation can sometimes lead to a delayed diagnosis.

Symptom presentation varies significantly. Younger patients often have acute symptoms like severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In contrast, older patients tend to experience more chronic symptoms such as early satiety, bloating, and weight loss, with less prominent vomiting.

Not necessarily. The average age for diagnosis may be higher than the age of symptom onset, especially for chronic conditions like gastroparesis. Due to diagnostic challenges and misattribution of symptoms, some patients may experience symptoms for months or years before receiving a proper diagnosis.

Older age is a risk factor, particularly for diabetic gastroparesis, due to the cumulative effects of the disease. While gastroparesis can begin at any age, conditions common in older adults, like long-term diabetes, increase the likelihood of developing the condition.