Characteristic of elderly patients with ulcerative colitis and therapeutic issue

Abstract

Aim: Ulcerative colitis (UC) primarily affects young adults, but the proportion of elderly patients with UC seems to be increasing. It is important that the clinical characteristics of elderly patients be analyzed. Methods: In the older group consisted of 32 outpatients (23 aged 50-64 years old, 9 aged 65 or over) in our hospital, we evaluated disease duration, severity, therapeutic efficacy and other clinical problems. Results: The age distributions of the disease onset showed a peak at early age and decreased with aging. The degree of severity was mainly mild, and left-sided or pancolitis were more frequent than expected in the older group. Most elderly patients suffered other diseases, and care was required in the administration of steroids. Conclusion: The clinical features of elderly patients with UC were similar to those of younger patients. However, It should be considered that elderly patients often have complications requiring care in the use of steroids.