Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the Elderly

Authors

  • Seth R. Shaffer, MD, MS Department of Internal Medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada University of Manitoba IBD Clinical and Research Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58931/cibdt.2025.3140

Abstract

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) among the elderly in Canada has increased from 1 out of 160 seniors in 2018, to 1 out of 88 seniors in 2023, representing 1.14% of the senior population. It is thought that more than one-third of all IBD patients will be over 60 years of age in the next decade. The prevalence is expected to increase due to a combination of new diagnoses as well as the aging of younger people already living with IBD.

Elderly persons with IBD face unique challenges that younger people with IBD often do not, such as co-existing comorbidities, frailty, polypharmacy, and an increased risk of infections and cancer. While the therapeutic management of elderly persons with IBD is similar to that of younger people with IBD, it requires careful consideration of many different factors, and special attention is needed when weighing the risks and benefits of medical therapy.

Author Biography

Seth R. Shaffer, MD, MS, Department of Internal Medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada University of Manitoba IBD Clinical and Research Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Dr. Shaffer is a gastroenterologist at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Manitoba. He completed medical school at the University of Manitoba and then went to Queen’s University for his Internal Medicine residency. He returned to the University of Manitoba for a fellowship in gastroenterology. He then completed an advanced fellowship in Inflammatory Bowel Disease at the University of Chicago, and a Master’s degree in Public Health Sciences, with an interest in health economics. Dr. Shaffer is a member of the University of Manitoba IBD Clinical and Research Centre. His research focuses on understanding the causes and clinical management of persons with IBD, and the economic impact of caring for people with IBD.

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2025-06-23

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Shaffer SR. Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the Elderly. Can IBD Today [Internet]. 2025 Jun. 23 [cited 2025 Jun. 28];3(1):22–28. Available from: https://canadianibdtoday.com/article/view/3-1-Shaffer

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