The Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada 2018: IBD in Seniors

Approximately one in every 160 seniors live with IBD. Due to the fact that IBD has no known cure, and thus patients diagnosed at younger ages will carry their disease with them into their senior years, the number of senior IBD patients is rising significantly in Canada. Seniors with IBD present unique challenges for care. Patients with IBD will experience greater comorbid conditions resulting from their advancing age and longer disease duration. Risks associated with IBD-related surgeries and complications from other illnesses associated with age and their medications further complicate treatment options and may lead to higher healthcare utilization. Healthcare providers need to be prepared to work in multidisciplinary teams with other specialists in order to address the complexity and comorbidities of seniors with IBD.