[Ulcerative rectocolitis diagnosed in the elderly. Case studies].

Fourteen patients with idiopathic ulcerative colitis (UC) diagnosis made over 60 years of age have been extrapolated from 255 (5.49%) consecutive. Some clinical parameters (sex; symptoms of onset; delay in diagnosis; extension of disease; density of relapses; therapy with cortisone) have been compared between the 14 patients with ultra sixtieth year of age diagnosis (A group) and the 241 patients with a diagnosis made previously (B group). There were no significant differences concerning the symptoms at onset and the delay in diagnosis. In group A a larger prevalence of the male (M/F 3.66 against 1.46) and distal localization (64% against 53%) have been reported. The density of relapse and therapy with cortisone (p < 0.025) prevailed in B group. In conclusion, limited to our experience, the UC in A group is less severe than in B group.