Cells. 2023 Jun 26;12(13):1722. doi: 10.3390/cells12131722.

Walter Fries ¹, Giorgio Basile ², Federica Bellone ³, Giuseppe Costantino ¹, Anna Viola ¹

Author information

¹Gastroenterology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy.

²Unit of Geriatrics, Department of Biomedical and Dental Science and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy.

³Unit of Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy.

Abstract

With the introduction of more and more monoclonal antibodies selectively targeting various mediators of the immune system, together with Janus-Kinase (JAK)-inhibitors with variable affinities towards different JAK subtypes, the available therapeutic options for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have undergone an acceleration in the last five years. On the other hand, the prevalence of IBD patients over 65-years-old is steadily increasing, and, with this, there is a large population of patients that presents more comorbidities, polypharmacy, and, more frequently, frailty compared to younger patients, exposing them to potentially major risks for adverse events deriving from newer therapies, e.g., infections, cardiovascular risks, and malignancies. Unfortunately, pivotal trials for the commercialization of new therapies rarely include older IBD patients, and those with serious comorbidities are virtually excluded. In the present review, we focus on existing literature from pivotal trials and real-world studies, analyzing data on efficacy/effectiveness and safety of newer therapies in older IBD patients with special emphasis on comorbidities and frailty, two distinct but intercorrelated aspects of the older population since age by itself seems to be of minor importance.