Inflammatory bowel disease in the elderly. Article eight in the series

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often has been thought of as a disease of young people, but recent data indicate that the age-specific incidence of IBD among the elderly is comparable to that in younger populations. The diagnosis of IBD in the elderly may be difficult. Some elderly IBD patients with other medical illnesses or severe disease may respond poorly to therapy. Most older IBD patients, however, will respond well to treatment if a prompt diagnosis is made and if special attention is given to medical and surgical issues that are unique to the care of members of this age group.