https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4881-9416
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Alison Rusher, Elizabeth Araka, Ashwin N Ananthakrishnan, Christine Ritchie, Bharati Kochar, IBD Is Like a Tree: Reflections From Older Adults With Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Volume 31, Issue 4, April 2025, Pages 1041–1050, https://doi.org/10.1093/ibd/izae139
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Abstract
Despite the growing proportion of older adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), their lived experience is not well understood. IBD literature is generally focused on younger adults, and few studies are qualitative. Older adults may report well-being differently than younger adults, so it is important that we learn about their goals and priorities with a chronic disease.
The study sought to understand the lived experience of older adults with IBD and explore their perceptions and priorities.
We conducted in-depth interviews with patients ≥60 years of age with IBD to evaluate the impact and perception of IBD in the context their overall health and life. We used a hybrid inductive-deductive thematic analysis of our transcripts to identify underlying patterns.
We achieved thematic saturation after 22 interviews. We produced 4 major themes: (1) having IBD at an older age, (2) financial ramifications of IBD at an older age, (3) expectations for a meaningful life, and (4) unmet needs. Prominent subthemes included (1) ageism, loss of autonomy, and barriers to healthcare; (2) retirement and insurance issues; (3) redefining quality of life and gratitude; and (4) social isolation and navigating daily life with IBD.
Having IBD later in life presents unique challenges. Physicians treating older patients should consider age-sensitive communication, susceptibility to social isolation, and practices for healthy aging in the context of IBD. Patient priorities for further investigation include more representation in the media and educational material tailored for older adults with IBD.
Lay Summary
In this qualitative study, we employ in-depth interviews to report the lived experience of older adults with inflammatory bowel disease and explore their perceptions and priorities of living with this chronic disease.
