Impact of blood transfusion on mortality and rebleeding in gastrointestinal bleeding: an 8-year cohort from a tertiary care center.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of blood transfusion (BT) on mortality and rebleeding in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) and whether BT at a threshold of ≤7 g/dL may improve these outcomes. Methods: A prospective study was conducted in patients admitted with GIB between 2013 and 2021. Antithrombotic (AT) use and clinical outcomes were compared between transfused and non-transfused patients, and between those transfused at a threshold of ≤7 vs. >7 g/dL. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of mortality and rebleeding. Results: A total of 667 patients, including 383 transfused, were followed up for a median of 56 months. Predictors of end-of-follow-up mortality included: age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index, stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH), and being on anticoagulants only upon presentation (P=0.026). SRH was a predictor of end-of-follow-up rebleeding, while having been on only antiplatelet therapy (AP) upon presentation was protective (P<0.001). BT was not associated with mortality or rebleeding at 1 month or end of follow up. Among transfused patients, being discharged only on AP protected against mortality (P=0.044). BT at >7 g/dL did not affect the risk of short or long-term rebleeding or mortality compared to BT at ≤7 g/dL. Conclusions: Short- and long-term mortality and rebleeding in GIB were not affected by BT, nor by a transfusion threshold of ≤7 vs. >7 g/dL, but were affected by the use of AT. Further studies that account for AT use are needed to determine the best transfusion strategy in GIB.

Clinical characteristics of symptomatic young patients with colonic adenomas.

Background: The incidence of colonic adenomas and colorectal cancer has been on the rise among young patients. In this study, we aimed to describe the characteristics of young patients (<50 years) with adenomatous polyps and to characterize those polyps. We also aimed to determine appropriate surveillance intervals for young patients. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients <50 years of age who had polypectomy of 1 or more adenomatous polyps on colonoscopy between 2008 and 2021. Patient demographics, colonoscopy indication and polyp characteristics were obtained from the chart. Timing and findings on surveillance colonoscopies were recorded. Results: A total of 610 patients were included: mean age 42.9±5.9 years, 61% males, body mass index 27.5±4.7 kg/m2, and over 50% smokers. The most common indications were abdominal pain (23.3%), rectal bleeding (22.3%), and change in bowel habits (17.6%). Almost half of the patients who had adenomas (299) were younger than 45 years. Tubular adenoma was the most frequently encountered type of polyp (571; 93.6%). Mean polyp size was 1.1±0.9 cm. The most common location of adenomas was the sigmoid colon (41%). Of patients with adenomas, 156 (26%) had surveillance colonoscopy within 2.9±2.3 years; 74 patients (47.4%) were found to have new adenomas. Conclusions: Patients aged <50 years with colonic adenomas were mostly males, overweight, and smokers. Further adenomas were found in 47% of surveillance colonoscopies, and most were encountered within 5 years. High rates of recurrent adenomas in people <50 years of age may warrant frequent surveillance.

Effects of Thiopurine Withdrawal on Vedolizumab-Treated Patients With Ulcerative Colitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The impact of thiopurine de-escalation while on vedolizumab versus continuing thiopurine therapy in ulcerative colitis (UC) is unclear. We aimed to determine the effect of thiopurine withdrawal for patients with UC in remission on vedolizumab. METHODS: This multicenter randomized controlled trial recruited UC patients on vedolizumab 300 mg intravenously every 8 weeks and a thiopurine. Patients in steroid-free clinical remission for ≥6 months and endoscopic remission/improvement (Mayo endoscopic subscore ≤1) were randomized 2:1 to withdraw or continue thiopurine. Primary outcome was comparing week 48 vedolizumab trough concentrations. Secondary outcomes were clinical relapse (partial Mayo score ≥3 and fecal calprotectin >150 µg/g or increase in Mayo endoscopic subscore ≥1 from baseline), fecal calprotectin remission (<150 µg/g), C-reactive protein remission (<5 mg/L), centrally read endoscopic remission (Mayo endoscopic subscore = 0), histologic remission (Nancy index = 0), histo-endoscopic remission, and adverse events. RESULTS: In total, 62 patients were randomized to continue (n = 20) or withdraw (n = 42) thiopurine. At week 48, vedolizumab trough concentrations were not significantly different between continue and withdrawal groups (14.7 µg/mL, interquartile rate [IQR], 12.3-18.5 µg/mL versus 15.9 µg/mL, IQR, 10.1-22.7 µg/mL, respectively, P = 0.36). The continue group had significantly higher fecal calprotectin remission (95.0%, 19/20 versus 71.4%, 30/42; P = .03), histologic remission (80.0%, 16/20 versus 48.6%, 18/37; P = .02), and histo-endoscopic remission (75.0%, 15/20 versus 32.4%, 12/37; P = .002) than the withdrawal group. Histologic activity (hazard ratio [HR], 15.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6-146.5; P = .02) and prior anti-tumor necrosis factor exposure (HR, 6.5; 95% CI, 1.3-33.8; P = .03) predicted clinical relapse after thiopurine withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: Thiopurine withdrawal did not affect vedolizumab trough concentrations. However, it may increase fecal calprotectin, histologic, and histo-endoscopic activity. Histologic activity and prior anti-tumor necrosis factor exposure may predict disease relapse on thiopurine withdrawal for patients using vedolizumab for UC. Australian and New Zealand Trial Registry, number ACTRN12618000812291.

Brunner's gland hamartomas: Not always benign.

Brunner's gland hamartoma (BGH) is a rare, benign tumor of the duodenum. It is mostly asymptomatic and usually found incidentally on routine esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). However, some BGHs present with major complications including anemia, bleeding, obstruction, or dysplasia, requiring management and resection of these lesions. Herein, we present two cases of large BGHs of the duodenum, one presenting as severe gastrointestinal bleeding and the other, noted on EGD for iron deficiency anemia, found to have high grade dysplasia. This literature review discusses the rare serious complications of BGH, including iron deficiency anemia, overt gastrointestinal bleeding, and malignant potential.

Are the New Biologics Effective in the Management of Postoperative Crohn's Disease?

BACKGROUND: Despite the growing therapeutic armamentarium, at least half of the patients with Crohn's disease will require surgery during their lifetime. Current evidence for the prevention and treatment of postoperative Crohn's disease supports the use of anti-tumor necrosis factor agents with limited data about the use of the newer biologics, vedolizumab and ustekinumab. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of available data to determine the efficacy of the newer biologics in the management of postoperative Crohn's disease. We included noncomparative and comparative studies. The main outcomes of interest were clinical and endoscopic postoperative recurrence rates. RESULTS: The search strategy identified 1231 citations, with 32 eligible for review. Several studies showed that the postoperative Crohn's disease recurrence rates with the use of the newer biologics were comparable to previously published results with the use of anti-tumor necrosis factor agents, while other studies failed to show their efficacy. It is important to note that the studies were heterogeneous and included a relatively small sample size, making it difficult to draw a definite conclusion about the efficacy of the newer biologics in the management of postoperative Crohn's disease. CONCLUSION: The newer biologics do play a role in the management of postoperative Crohn's disease. After our review, we proposed an updated algorithm on the role of newer biologics in the approach to patients with postoperative Crohn's disease. Yet, until we have better-designed studies, their definite positioning remains to be determined.

Review of the literature showed some encouraging results on the effectiveness of vedolizumab and ustekinumab in the prevention and treatment of postoperative Crohn's disease. However, more controlled studies comparing the new biologic agents with anti-tumor necrosis factor agents are needed.

Ethnic Variation Trends in the Use of Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis.

Background: Approximately 15%-20% of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) will require surgery during their lifetime. Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the preferred surgical option, which typically requires access to a specialist experienced in surgery for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Methods: The aims of this study are the assessment of the comparative use of IPAA for UC among different racial/ethnic groups and observe trends over the past decade in the United States as well as the comparative assessment of their respective postoperative outcomes. This was an observational retrospective study using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) 2009-2018 dataset. All patients with ICD-9/10CM codes for UC were included. The primary outcome was comparative trends in IPAA construction across races/ethnicities in the past decade, which was compared to White patients as reference. Multivariate regression analyses were used to adjust for age, gender, Charlson comorbidity index, income in patient zip code, insurance status, hospital region, location, size, and teaching status. Results: The number of patients discharged from US hospitals with an associated diagnosis of UC increased between 2009 and 2018, but the number of patients undergoing an IPAA decreased during that time period. Of 1 153 363 admissions related to UC, 60 688 required surgery for UC, of whom 16 601 underwent IPAA in the study period. Of all the patients undergoing surgery for UC, 2862 (4.7%) were Black, while 44 351 were White. This analysis indicated that Black patients were less likely to undergo IPAA both in 2009 and in 2018 compared to Whites. Hispanic patients were significantly less likely to receive IPAA in 2009 but were no longer less likely to receive IPAA in 2018 when compared to Whites. Conclusions: The use of IPAA among Black patients requiring surgery for UC remains less common than amongst their White counterparts. Further research is needed to determine if racial disparity is a factor in decreased access to specialized care.

Efficacy of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in the Treatment of Active Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been investigated as a treatment option for patients with inflammatory bowel disease with controversial results.We sought to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the benefit of FMT in patients with ulcerative colitis. METHODS: Double-blind randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including adult patients with active ulcerative colitis who received either FMT or placebo were eligible for inclusion. Outcomes of interest included the rate of combined clinical and endoscopic remission, endoscopic remission or response, clinical remission or response, and specific adverse events. The results were pooled together using Reviewer Manager 5.4 software. Publication bias was assessed using the Egger's test. RESULTS: Six RCTs involving 324 patients were included. Our findings demonstrate that compared with placebo, FMT has significant benefit in inducing combined clinical and endoscopic remission (odds ratio, 4.11; 95% confidence interval, 2.19-7.72; P < .0001). Subgroup analyses of influencing factors showed no differences between pooled or single stool donors (P = .71), fresh or frozen FMT (P = .35), and different routes or frequencies of delivery (P = .80 and .48, respectively). Pre-FMT antibiotics, bowel lavage, concomitant biologic therapy, and topical rectal therapy did not affect combined remission rates (P values of .47, .38, .28, and .40, respectively). Clinical remission or response and endoscopic remission or response were significantly higher in patients who received FMT compared with placebo (P < .05) without any differences in serious or specific adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: FMT demonstrated a clinical and endoscopic benefit in the short-term treatment of active ulcerative colitis, with a comparable safety profile to placebo. Future RCTs are required to standardize study protocols and examine data on maintenance therapy.

Our systematic review of double-blind randomized controlled trials demonstrates that fecal microbiota transplantation is effective in inducing short-term clinical and endoscopic remission in adult patients with active ulcerative colitis and with a similar safety profile as compared with placebo.

Development and Validation of a Novel 1-year Mortality Risk Score That Includes the Use of Antithrombotic in Patients With Overt Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

GOALS AND BACKGROUND: We aimed to develop a novel 1-year mortality risk-scoring system that includes use of antithrombotic (AT) drugs and to validate it against other scoring systems in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). STUDY: We developed a risk-scoring system from prospectively collected data on patients admitted with GIB between January 2013 and August 2020, who had at least 1- year of follow-up. Independent predictors of 1-year mortality were determined after adjusting for the following confounders: the age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) (divided into 4 groups: CCI-0=0, CCI-1=1 to 3, CCI-2=4 to 6, CCI-3 ≥7), need for blood transfusion, GIB severity, need for endoscopic therapy, and type of AT. The risk score was based on independent predictors. RESULTS: Five hundred seventy-six patients were included and 123 (21%) died at 1-year follow-up. Our risk -score was based on the following: CCI-2 (2 points), CCI-3 (4 points), need for blood transfusion (1 point), and no use of aspirin (1 point), as aspirin use was protective (maximum score=6). Patients with higher risk scores had higher mortality. The model had a better predictive accuracy [AUC=0.82, 95% confidence interval (0.78-0.86), P <0.0001] than the Rockall score for upper GIB (Area Under the Curve (AUC)=0.68, P <<0.0001), the Oakland score for lower GIB (AUC=0.69, p =0.004), or the Shock Index for all (AUC=0.54, P <0.0001). CONCLUSION: A simple and novel score that includes use of AT upon admission accurately predicts 1-year mortality in patients with GIB. This scoring system may help guide follow-up decisions and inform the prognosis of patients with GIB.

Significance of granulomas in the outcomes of Crohn's disease patients.

Background: The presence of granulomas in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is one of the characteristic histologic features of Crohn's disease (CD). The clinical significance of granulomas remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the presence of granulomas on endoscopic pinch biopsy or surgical resection from the upper or lower GI tract is associated with worse outcomes among patients with CD. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of patients with CD evaluated at a tertiary care center between 1996 and 2019. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the presence or absence of granulomas on GI histology. Clinical and laboratory data, and outcomes of interest, were obtained from the electronic medical records. Patients' characteristics and outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. Results: A total of 237 patients were included in our study; 41 (17.3%) had granulomas on their biopsy/resection specimen. The presence of granulomas in the GI tract was significantly associated with the development of intra-abdominal abscesses and/or fistulas (P=0.037), greater utilization of immunomodulators (P=0.029), and greater use of immunosuppressive medications (immunomodulator and/or biologic therapy) (P=0.015). No significant differences were found between the 2 groups in terms of number of hospitalizations, presence of perianal disease, intestinal resection, mean age, mean age at initial diagnosis of CD, duration of disease, sex, or smoking history. Conclusions: The presence of granulomas in the GI tract of CD patients may serve as a prognostic biomarker of worse disease severity. Larger studies are needed to better validate this finding.

Impact of sedation type on adenoma detection rate by colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Endoscopic detection of polyps and adenomas decreases the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer. The available data concerning the relationship between the sedation type and adenoma detection rate (ADR) or polyp detection rate (PDR) is inconclusive. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of conscious vs. deep (propofol) sedation on the ADR/PDR in diagnostic and screening colonoscopies. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. Patients aged 50-75 years old presenting for a first screening or diagnostic colonoscopy were included. Baseline demographic characteristics were collected, as well as PDR and ADR. Endoscopic withdrawal time and quality of bowel preparation rated in a binary fashion were also collected. Two multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate the independent predictors of endoscopic detection of polyps and adenomas. RESULTS: 574 patients met our inclusion criteria. Mean age was 59.26 ± 7.21 with 52.4% females and an average BMI of 28.08 ± 4.89. 374 patients (65.2%) underwent screening colonoscopies, and deep sedation was performed in 200 patients (34.8%). Only 4.7% had bad bowel preparation. PDR was 70% and ADR was 52%. On bivariate analysis, no significant difference was shown in PDR and ADR between conscious and deep sedation groups (0.70, 0.71; p = 0.712 and 0.50, 0.54; p = 0.394, respectively). On multivariate analysis for PDR, age and withdrawal time were independent predictors. For ADR, age, female sex, and withdrawal time were independent predictors. Sedation type and the indication did not reach statistical significance in both models. CONCLUSION: The use of deep sedation didn't influence the ADR/PDR quality metrics in our mixed cohort of screening and diagnostic colonoscopies.

First or Second Biologic in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Combination Therapy or Monotherapy?

The therapeutic armamentarium for patients with inflammatory bowel disease has been expanding. Current guidelines make recommendations about whether patients who are biologic naive should be receiving biologic monotherapy or combination therapy, depending on the class of biologics. However, due to the limited available data, guidance to inform clinical practice for patients receiving their second or more biologic are lacking. We hereby review the available data about the use of biologic monotherapy or combination therapy with concomitant immunomodulator therapies in patients receiving their first as well as those receiving their second biologic.

Increased rebleeding and mortality in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding treated with anticoagulant drugs compared to antiplatelet drugs.

BACKGROUND/AIM: We determined the effect of antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents on rebleeding and mortality in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. METHODS: This was a prospective study of patients admitted with gastrointestinal bleeding between 2013 and 2018. Outcomes were compared among patients on antiplatelet agents only, anticoagulant drugs only, combination therapy, and none. The association between mortality, rebleeding, and type of antithrombotic medication on admission and discharge was determined using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 509 patients were followed up for a median of 19 months. End of follow-up rebleeding and mortality rates were 19.4% and 23.0%, respectively. Independent predictors of mortality were age [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.025 per year increase, P = 0.002], higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (HR = 1.4, P < 0.0001), severe bleeding (HR = 2.1, P < 0.0001), and being on anticoagulants (HR = 2.3, P = 0.002). Being on antiplatelets was protective against rebleeding (HR = 0.6, P = 0.047). Those on anticoagulants were more likely to die (HR = 2.5, P < 0.0001) and to rebleed (HR = 2.1, P = 0.01) than those on antiplatelets. Antithrombotic drug discontinuation upon discharge was associated with increased mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSION: In gastrointestinal bleeding, rebleeding and mortality were associated with being on anticoagulant drugs, while being on antiplatelet agents was protective against rebleeding. Discontinuation of antithrombotics upon discharge increased the risk of death. The findings inform risk stratification and decisions regarding continuation or discontinuation of antithrombotics.

Early thiopurine maintenance is associated with reduced proximal disease progression and colectomy rate in ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: Thiopurines effectively maintain remission in ulcerative colitis patients. Whether early initiation of thiopurines after ulcerative colitis diagnosis decreases proximal disease progression and colectomy rates is not known. METHODS: We conducted a cohort study of ulcerative colitis subjects recruited from 1970 to 2009. Early thiopurine maintenance was defined as commencement of azathioprine or mercaptopurine within 5 years of diagnosis and maintenance for at least 6 months. Propensity score matching was conducted to correct for confounders influencing early thiopurine introduction. Outcomes of interest were colectomy rate and endoscopic proximal disease extension. RESULTS: 982 consecutive ulcerative colitis subjects (12 879 patient-years) were recruited with 116 requiring colectomy. Thiopurines initiation and maintenance increased over time with median time to thiopurine commencement decreasing from 23 years in the first decade to 2 years in the last decade (P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that early thiopurine maintenance significantly decreased the need for colectomy [hazard ratio, 0.13; 95% confidence interval (CI):0.03-0.55; P = 0.006]. The number of subjects needed to be treated to reduce one colectomy at 5 and 10 years was 18 (95% CI, 16- 36) and 12 (95% CI, 11-25). After propensity score matching, early thiopurine maintenance was significantly associated with decreased colectomy (hazard ratio, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.03-0.43; P = 0.002) and proximal progression of disease extent (hazard ratio, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.10-0.78; P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Early thiopurine maintenance for >6 months is significantly associated with reduced colectomy and proximal progression of disease extent in ulcerative colitis.

Positioning biologics in the management of moderate to severe Crohn's disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Since there is a lack of head-to-head randomized controlled trials, little direction is provided from guidelines on the positioning of biologics for the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD). This review utilizes comparative effectiveness and safety results from real-world data and network meta-analyses to inform clinical practice for positioning of biological therapies in the treatment of moderate-to-severe CD. RECENT FINDINGS: We summarize the results of studies pertaining to the identification of predictors for response to biologics in CD. Recently published studies about the management of moderate-to-severe CD are discussed and a positioning algorithm is proposed for the therapeutic approach of these patients. SUMMARY: Different classes of biologics are comparable with regards to safety and almost similar in effectiveness in the management of CD. There are certain clinical scenarios in which one biologic is more effective than another. For instance, patients with a more aggressive disease phenotype such as fistulizing disease would benefit from infliximab over other biologics, whereas in older patients at a higher risk for infectious complications, it may be more appropriate to use ustekinumab or vedolizumab over the anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents. More data pertaining to identifying predictors of response to the different available therapies and head-to-head comparison trials are needed to personalize our therapeutic approach of CD patients.

Gastroenterologists' preference and risk perception on the use of immunomodulators and biological therapies in elderly patients with ulcerative colitis: an international survey.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Comorbidities, polypharmacy, malignancies, and infections complicate management of elderly patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). This study assessed gastroenterologists' preference in the prescription of medications or surgery to elderly patients with IBD, and the factors associated with their choices. METHODS: An international case-based survey was conducted that presented three cases of steroid-dependent ulcerative colitis assessing young-age versus elderly-age patients, with and without comorbidity. Physician characteristics and practice demographics were collected. Factors associated with selection of different choices of therapy were determined by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 424 respondents from 41 countries were included. Vedolizumab (53.2%) and thiopurines (19.4%) were the top treatment preferences for moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (P < 0.0001). Comorbidity and older age were independently associated with more frequent use of vedolizumab (P < 0.0001), and less frequent use of immunomodulators and anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF; P < 0.0001). Comorbidity was the only independent predictor for selecting colectomy (P < 0.0001). A history of lymphoma (94%) and opportunistic infection (78.3%) were the most frequent conditions precluding the use of thiopurine and anti-TNF in elderly patients with IBD. Only 6.1% of respondents considered patient age a limit for vedolizumab, while 37.9% considered age as a limiting factor in prescribing thiopurines (P < 0.001). Geographical heterogeneity was identified with significantly more physicians from Oceania and North America favouring the use of vedolizumab. CONCLUSION: Vedolizumab was the preferred first-line agent in the treatment of elderly patients with IBD with steroid-dependent moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis. Older age and presence of comorbidity influenced the selection of medication. Comorbidity was the main predictor of colectomy. Geographical heterogeneity in prescribing habits may relate to medication reimbursement in individual countries.

Ulcerative Colitis and Cytomegalovirus Infection: From A to Z.

Despite multiple studies, the role of cytomegalovirus [CMV] infection in exacerbating the severity of inflammation in ulcerative colitis [UC], and its response to treatment, remain debatable. Additionally, the optimal diagnostic tests for CMV infection in the setting of UC relapse, and timing of antiviral treatment initiation, remain unclear. The challenge faced by gastroenterologists is to differentiate between an acute UC flare and true CMV colitis. It seems that the presence of CMV colitis, as defined by the presence of intranuclear or intracellular inclusion bodies on haematoxylin and eosin [H&E] staining and/or positive immunohistochemistry [IHC] assay on histology, is associated with more severe colitis. Patients with CMV infection and acute severe colitis are more resistant to treatment with corticosteroids than non-infected patients. This refractoriness to steroids is related to colonic tissue CMV viral load and number of inclusion bodies [high-grade CMV infection] which may have a pronounced effect on clinical outcomes and colectomy rates. Whereas many studies showed no effect for antiviral treatment on colectomy rates in CMV-infected UC patients, there was a significant difference in colectomy rates of patients with high-grade infection who received anti-viral therapy compared with those who did not receive treatment. It was therefore proposed that high-grade CMV disease indicates that the virus is acting as a pathogen, whereas in those with low-grade CMV disease, the severity of IBD itself is more likely to influence outcome. The different algorithms that have been put forward for the management of patients with UC and concomitant CMV infection are discussed.

Comorbidities Rather Than Age Are Associated With the Use of Immunomodulators in Elderly-onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The use of immunomodulators (IMs) is often avoided in elderly patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) due to concerns about complications. Our aim is to compare the use of IMs in elderly and younger patients with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) and identify markers that predict their use. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, patients diagnosed with IBD from 1970 to 2009 were recruited from the "Sydney IBD Cohort." Patients diagnosed at age 60 years old or older and between 16 and old 40 years were classified as "elderly-onset" and "young-onset" respectively. RESULTS: A total of 255 elderly-onset patients (115 CD, 140 UC) and 1244 young-onset patients (657 CD, 587 UC) were recruited. Most elderly-onset patients had colonic CD (61.4%), whereas young-onset patients had predominantly ileocolonic CD (42.8%, P < 0.0001). Left-sided UC was the most common disease localization for both elderly-onset (52.1%) and young-onset patients (42.2%, P = 0.013). The cumulative probability of IM exposure at 5 years post-diagnosis was significantly less in elderly-onset patients compared with young-onset patients for CD (20.0% vs 33.4%, P = 0.0002) and UC (7.8% vs 13.4%, P = 0.0007). Age at diagnosis was not associated with the time to IMs introduction. Charlson Comorbidity Index was shown to delay IM introduction in CD (hazard ratio [HR] 0.863; 95% CI, 0.787-0.946; P = 0.002) and UC (HR 0.807; 95% CI, 0.711-0.917; P = 0.001). Early IM use was associated with reduced need for abdominal and perianal surgery in CD (HR 0.177; 95% CI, 0.089-0.351; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidity and not age at diagnosis is associated with IM introduction. Early IM is associated with reduced surgery in both young- and elderly-onset CD but not UC.