Older adults with acute severe ulcerative colitis have similar steroid non-response and colectomy rates as younger adults.

Background: There is paucity of data on outcomes of acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) in older adults (≥ 60 years of age).

Aim: To assess steroid non-response rates during the index admission for ASUC in older adults. Secondary outcomes were response to medical rescue therapy and colectomy rates; at index admission, 3 and 12 mo.

Prediction of Crohn's disease aggression through NOD2/CARD15 gene sequencing in an Australian cohort.

Aim: To investigate the association between mutations in oligomerisation domain 2/caspase recruitment domains 15 (NOD2/CARD15) and the natural history of Crohn's disease (CD) to identify patients who would benefit from early aggressive medical intervention.

Methods: We recruited thirty consecutive unrelated CD patients with a history of ileo-caecal or small bowel resection during the period 1980-2000; Fifteen patients of these had post-operative relapse that required further surgery and fifteen did not. Full sequencing of the NOD2/CARD15 gene using dHPLC for exons 3, 5, 7, 10 and 12 and direct sequencing for exons 2, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 11 was conducted.