In which patient population might oral glucose have delayed effects?

• A. Children
• B. Athletes
• C. Elderly patients
• D. People with normal circulation

Answer: (C)

Oral glucose has to travel from the stomach into the small intestine and be absorbed into the bloodstream to raise blood sugar quickly. In elderly patients, age-related slowing of gastric emptying and intestinal motility, plus possible reduced gut perfusion and absorption (often with multiple meds that slow the GI tract), blunt and delay this process. That means the glucose appears in the blood more slowly after ingestion. In contrast, younger individuals with normal circulation typically experience faster gastric emptying and absorption, so the effect of oral glucose comes on sooner. Therefore, the elderly are the population likely to have delayed effects from oral glucose.