Inflammatory bowel disease: specific concerns in the elderly

Despite recent improvements in our knowledge concerning IBD in the elderly, much is still unknown. Fundamental issues which remain unresolved are: the true frequency of disease onset in old age; the natural history and location of disease; the response of these patients to medical therapy; the indications for surgery; the incidence of postoperative recurrence; and the incidence of cancer complicating existing disease. Nevertheless, reasonably successful treatment options are available to many elderly IBD patients, given that an alert and careful diagnostician identifies the problem.