Geriatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Prospective Assessment of Disease Characteristics, Frailty, Comorbidity and Hospital Outcomes

Fasalu rahiman OM; Reseena Farsana; M Senthil; Jabir IK

Geriatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Prospective Assessment of Disease Characteristics, Frailty, Comorbidity and Hospital Outcomes

Author(s)	Dr. Fasalu rahiman OM, Ms. Reseena Farsana, Mr. M Senthil, Mr. Jabir IK
Country	India
Abstract	Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), mainly ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), poses substantial challenges in older adults due to frailty, multimorbidity, functional decline, and complex medication regimens. This study evaluated the clinical profile, frailty, comorbidity burden, treatment patterns, nutritional support, and short-term hospital outcomes in older adults with IBD. Methods: A prospective, hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 81 consecutive hospitalized patients aged ≥60 years with confirmed IBD at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Demographic and clinical characteristics, IBD subtype, comorbidities, functional status, Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), treatment, nutritional supplementation, and hospitalization outcomes were systematically recorded. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results: Among 81 patients, UC accounted for 85.2% of cases. Patients aged 70–79 years comprised 56.8%, and 56.8% were female. Diabetes mellitus (64.2%) and hypertension (60.5%) were the most common comorbidities, followed by anaemia (49.4%), cardiovascular disease (35.8%), chronic kidney disease (32.1%), and malnutrition (32.1%). Frailty was present in 63.0%, while only 35.8% remained functionally independent. Nutritional supplementation was provided to 56.8%. Mean hospitalization duration was 11.47 days; ICU admission occurred in 7.4% and 30-day readmission in 16.0%. No in-hospital deaths were recorded. Major complications included gastrointestinal bleeding, cardiovascular complications, and acute kidney injury. Conclusion: Older adults with IBD demonstrate substantial frailty, multimorbidity, functional dependence, and nutritional vulnerability, highlighting the need for integrated geriatric assessment and individualized, multidisciplinary IBD management.
Keywords	Inflammatory Bowel Disease; Older Adults; Ulcerative Colitis; Frailty; Multimorbidity; Comorbidities; Functional Status; Hospital Outcomes; Geriatric Care.
Field	Medical / Pharmacy
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 5, September-October 2026
Published On	2026-10-08

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International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

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Geriatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Prospective Assessment of Disease Characteristics, Frailty, Comorbidity and Hospital Outcomes

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