[Inflammatory Bowel Disease in elderly patients: Clinical characteristics and management in a tertiary hospital]

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in elderly patients is characterized by its clinical variability, different differential diagnoses and therapeutic management. The objective of our investigation is to evaluate the clinical characteristics and management of elderly patients with IBD. We developed an observational, descriptive, retrospective study from January 2011 to December 2019 in patients with IBD at the Gastroenterology Service of Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen National Hospital, Lima-Peru. 55 patients with CD and 107 with UC were evaluated; 45.6% of patients with IBD are older adults. Of these, 28 had CD and 46 UC. Older adults with CD presented predominantly an inflammatory phenotype and colonic location, while extensive and left-sided colitis were the most frequent in UC. Elderly patients had a lower CDAI score (279.8 vs 323.2) and a lower Mayo index (7.1 vs 9.2) in relation to the younger, without significant differences. Regarding treatment, a lower use of azathioprine (2 vs 8, p <0.03) and Anti-TNF (9 vs 18, p <0.01) was observed in the elderly with CD. The need for surgery and the frequency of post-surgical complications were similar between both groups. In conclusion, nearly half of IBD patients are older adults. The colonic location was the most frequent in CD, and in UC extensive and left colitis. We observed a lower use of azathioprine and biological therapy in elderly patients, without significant differences in the use of corticosteroids and aminosalicylates compared to younger people.