Clin-STAR Corner: Practice-Changing Advances at the Interface of Gastroenterology & Geriatrics

Abstract

With nearly 60 million Americans aged 65 and older, gastrointestinal (GI) conditions are a leading cause of healthcare utilization in this population. Despite this, older adults remain underrepresented in GI clinical trials and research, limiting evidence-based care. This review highlights three pivotal studies addressing this gap: (1) proton pump inhibitors, which are commonly used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, are not associated with the later development of dementia; (2) undertreatment of chronic inflammation among older adults with inflammatory bowel disease is associated with a higher rate of adverse events compared to treatment with anti-TNF therapy, a biologic agent; (3) the majority (85%) of surveillance colonoscopies among older adults with a life expectancy of ≥ 10 years did not yield colorectal cancer, advanced dysplasia, or ≥ 3 polyps.