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Review
. 2019 Nov 15;11(6):468-477.
doi: 10.1136/flgastro-2019-101218. eCollection 2020 Oct.

How to manage IBD in the 'elderly'

Jonathan P Segal  1 , Hein Myat Thu Htet  2 , Jimmy Limdi  3   4 , Bu'Hussain Hayee  5
Affiliations
Review

How to manage IBD in the 'elderly'

Jonathan P Segal et al. Frontline Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

As the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) rises and the global population ages, the number of older people living with these conditions will inevitably increase. The challenges posed by comorbid conditions, polypharmacy, the unintended consequences of long-term treatment and the real but often underestimated mismatch between chronological and biological ages underpin management. Significantly, there may be differences in disease characteristics, presentation and management of an older patient with IBD, together with other unique challenges. Importantly, clinical trials often exclude older patients, so treatment decisions are frequently pragmatic, extrapolated from a number of sources of evidence and perhaps primarily dictated by concerns around adverse effects. This review aimed to discuss the epidemiology, clinical features and considerations with management in older patients with IBD.

Keywords: IBD; crohn's disease; elderly; ulcerative colitis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Considerations for treatment of an elderly patient with IBD. IBD, inflammatory bowel disease; MDT, multi-disciplinary team.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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