An Unusual Initial Presentation of Elderly-Onset Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease affects individuals across all age groups. However, given that it is more prevalent in younger adults, less attention is typically paid to elderly-onset Crohn's disease. The incidence of late-onset inflammatory bowel disease is around 8 per 100,00 patients per year in the United States. The hallmark symptoms of Crohn's, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss, may be absent in elderly patients, therefore making it more challenging to reach a diagnosis and initiate treatment in a timely manner. Crohn's disease can lead to multiple complications, including abdominal abscess, enteroenteric or perianal fistulas, and bowel obstruction. Nevertheless, it is highly uncommon to have bowel obstruction as the initial sign of the disease.