Clinical outcomes amongst elderly patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Backgrounds and aimsInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects a growing cohort of elderly patients. Our aim was to compare the quality of care received by elderly patients with IBD with a nonelderly adult IBD population using clinical markers including steroid‐free clinical remission.MethodRetrospective audit of all consecutive patients attending a specialist IBD centre over a 1‐year period aged >60 (elderly cohort [EC]) and 50 consecutive patients aged 30–45 years (control cohort [CC]). A follow‐up survey was completed assessing current symptoms and perceptions of care.ResultsOne hundred thirty‐nine patients were evaluated (89 EC, 50 CC). Steroid‐free clinical remission was observed less commonly in the EC (58, 64%) compared with the CC (40, 80%) (P < 0.05). Biologics such as infliximab (15% EC vs 36% CC; P < 0.01) and adalimumab (14% EC vs 30% CC; P = 0.02) were used less frequently in the EC, whilst vedolizumab (6% EC vs 6% CC; P = 1) and ustekinumab (3% EC vs 2% CC; P = 1) were used at a similar frequency. Patients in the EC were less likely to have specialist IBD nursing contact (P < 0.01), smoking screening (P < 0.011) or influenza vaccinations (P < 0.006). IBD nurse contact was associated with significantly greater provision of the preventative care measures.ConclusionElderly patients with IBD were less likely to experience steroid‐free clinical remission or be prescribed biologics. Elderly patients were less likely to receive education with respect to preventative medicine. The models of care for the elderly need re‐evaluation and greater incorporation with the multidisciplinary IBD team.