Therapy Goals and Well-being in Older Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Purpose: – The burden of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is rising among older adults. We aimed to identify prioritized therapy goals and to evaluate the associations between treatment goal clusters and other factors with well-being in older IBD patients. Materials and Methods: – An international survey was conducted by the European Federation of Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis Associations in IBD patients aged 60 years or older. Participants had to select 3 out of 12 therapy goals. Cluster analysis was performed to identify patterns of therapy goals. was assessed using a 5-point Likert Scale. Ordinal regression models were performed to assess determinants of well-being. Results: – Among 1997 respondents (median age: 66 y; 61% females) from 34 countries, the most frequently selected therapy goals were reducing fatigue (56%) and preserving or restoring a good mood (43%). Six clusters of therapy goals were identified. Lower well-being was associated with clinical disease activity [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 4.90, 95% CI: 3.89-6.20], risk for frailty (aOR: 2.09, 95% CI: 1.70-2.57), and more than 2 comorbidities (aOR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.61-3.08), as well as therapy goal clusters focusing on IBD symptom control (aOR: 3.23, 95% CI: 2.16-4.88) and mobility capacity (aOR: 2.21, 95% CI: 1.46-3.37) compared with the activity engagement cluster (prioritizing mobility capacity and social life). Conclusions: – Older patients prioritized therapy goals focusing on symptom management over established therapy goals. Well-being was mainly influenced by clinical disease activity, risk for frailty, and comorbidity. Future research should integrate therapy goals and well-being assessment into routine clinical care.