Epidemiology of ulcerative colitis in the geriatric population in the health-area of La Safor (Valencia)
Martínez Sabater A., Ferrando Marrades I., Devesa i Jordà F., Ferrando Ginestar J., Borghlol Hariri A., Barber Escrivá A.

SUMMARY

   The diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (UC) is made for the most part in young patients, although, according to the revised literature, there exists a percentage of about 15% that affects old patients. We decided to carry out a study on the incidence of ulcerative colitis in the geriatric patients in the area of reference of our hospital according to endoscopic diagnosis. We carry out an epidemical descriptive study retrospectively from January 1994 to December 2003. We conclude that there exists a higher incidence of UC in the geriactric population than in the general population, at the same time that the increase in life expectation increases the percentage of patients aged over 60 years affected by UC; we consider necessary an adequate control of geriatric patients due to the increase of complications, the risk of the appearance of malignant lesions and the risk of mortality.

KEY WORDS

    Epidemiology, ulcerative colitis, old person, incidence.

Vol. 16 nº4-2005