title: Inflammatory bowel disease of the elderly: a wake-up call.
abstract: As the baby-boomer generation enters the ranks of the elderly (defined as patients over 60 years of age), the increased burden of managing older inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients requires recognition of the impact of comorbid disease, polypharmacy, and surgical candidacy criteria. There is a surprisingly positive response to newer therapies and surgery, provided that a distinction is made between "fit elderly" and "frail elderly" patients. The former group should not be denied access to the newer biologics, clinical trials, or surgical alternatives on the basis of age alone. There is a need for clinicians caring for elderly IBD patients to be cognizant of the multiple and often disguised conditions contributing to disease management as well as the importance for careful allocation of health resources.
authors: Dr. Katz serves as Clinical Professor of Medicine at the New York University School of Medicine in New York, New York, and as an Attending Gastroenterologist at North Shore University Hospital-Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Manhasset, New York.
authors: Seymour
authors: S
authors: Katz
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Feldstein