[Chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases in the elderly and aged]

The age incidence curve of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases follows a bimodal type with a second peak after the age of 60. In some epidemiological studies there is a female predominance in Crohn's disease of the aged. There are no old-age-specific modifications in the clinical course and the complications of the chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Postoperative recurrencies of Crohn's disease may be less common in the older age group. Ischemic bowel diseases and colonic cancer must be considered most often in the differential diagnosis of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases of the aged.