In the last several decades we have seen a global rise in IBD, but as of late more in the older adult population. A study of Medicare beneficiaries showed this steady rise increasing annually at 3.4% for Crohn’s disease and 2.8% in Ulcerative colitis. However, the largest rise in IBD was seen in the elderly African American community with a 5% increase in Crohn’s disease and a 3.5% increase in Ulcerative colitis. Other older population groups saw a sharp rise as well with Hispanic increase at 3.2% and 2.5% respectively. Another alarming increase came from the American Indian/Alaska Native population with 5% increase and 1.5% respectively.
With this steady rise of IBD patients across the world, researchers are posed to ask what is causing this, and how might it affect treatment? Xu and their colleagues, that did this study in particular, cited “Living in urban areas, especially during early life, might be associated with risk for IBD through effects on the microbiome by factors such as pollution, diet, or lifestyle,” This suggests that the prevalence of certain bacteria may assist in the development of IBD. Modern diets, especially in urban areas, consist of more prepackaged and fast food as oftentimes, that is all that is available. I believe this speaks loudly on so many issues, not just gut health. We have got to work harder as a country to provide access to affordable whole and natural foods as this affects not only growth and development, but overall adult health.
Xu and their team also cited “The potential rapid increase of disease prevalence in certain racial and ethnic minority groups indicates the need for tailored disease management strategies in these populations, because hospitalization and mortality rates were higher among non-Hispanic Black patients than they were among non-Hispanic White patients.” They also noted that these minority group patients” Were more likely to have severe disease activity and were less likely to maintain medical therapy for IBD or to undergo surgery.” This is greatly due to lack of access to hospital or professional medical care in urban areas, in addition to ever rising medication costs and astronomically priced insurance premiums. This in addition to quality food access is a burning need in this country.
As you may know, IBD usually peaks in young adulthood, myself included in this demographic. However as more older adults have been diagnosed with IBD, up to 15% of all new IBD cases are those aged 60 and older. To put this into perspective, in 1990 3.7 million people had IBD worldwide. Fast forward to 2017 and 6.7 million people had IBD. Now think about 15% of 6.7 million people. I’ll save you the math, that’s 1,005,000 million people! While the highest rates overall for IBD are seen in white individuals, this rising in other population groups is alarming as a whole. Xu and the team also found in their research that in older adults’ women were more likely to develop IBD than men at 0.43% vs 0.36% for Crohn’s disease; and 0.68% vs 0.61% for ulcerative colitis.
Having IBD myself, I am always wanting to educate and bring awareness to people about these diseases. I think now more than ever, with this sharp rise in IBD in the older population, we need to offer education and support. It is also imperative that we reach minority groups and urban areas. If you know the signs and symptoms of what is actually going on, this may help those less likely to seek medical treatment actually seek it. Programs like Medicare and Medicaid can also help with treatment costs, so this older population with IBD doesn’t have to choose between medication and basic needs like food. I hope to see more education as well as access to whole foods and healthcare not only in the older population, but our country as a whole. This study could open up solutions for more education and care in our older adult community. Fellow IBD warriors, keep sharing your stories and educating one person at a time. You never know how your experience could help others!
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