How UCSF’s New IBD Clinic Will Transform Care for Older Adults
Multidisciplinary program is the first of its kind in the nation, providing leadership in geriatrics as health care systems nationwide prepare to address the growing needs of an aging population.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which causes inflammation in the digestive tract, may complicate other health concerns as patients age. To address the specific challenges faced by older adults with IBD, UCSF Health has created a program that provides comprehensive and specialized care for patients aged 65 and older with this chronic condition.
Led by gastroenterologist Kendall Beck, MD, and geriatrician Anu Madhavan, MD, PhD, the UCSF IBD Longevity Clinic brings together experts in gastroenterology, geriatrics, pharmacy, and nutrition to offer a multidisciplinary approach that is unique in the nation for older patients with IBD.
We’re proud to be among the few programs in the country offering this multidisciplinary care model. It’s an exciting step forward for UCSF and for older adults living with IBD.
Anu Madhavan, MD, PhD
A holistic approach to care
The new clinic is one of the only programs in the U.S. dedicated to this growing and underserved patient population. While IBD affects about 1% of Americans and is primarily diagnosed in younger adults, there is a secondary peak of diagnosis in individuals aged 60-70 years. In fact, as the population ages, older people are expected to make up the majority of IBD patients within the decade.
Older adults with IBD often face particular health issues. The UCSF clinic’s integrative approach addresses these issues while prioritizing symptom control and quality of life.
“Our aim is to provide a patient-centered, holistic view of care for older adults with IBD,” Madhavan said. “We evaluate patients’ cognition, mobility, bone health, and medication regimens, while also focusing on health maintenance factors such as cancer screenings and vaccinations. This approach ensures we’re not only managing their IBD but also supporting their overall well-being.”
Patients referred to the UCSF IBD Longevity Clinic receive a comprehensive geriatric assessment, a pharmacy consultation, and ongoing collaboration between specialists to optimize care. The clinic’s multidisciplinary team focuses on addressing age-related syndromes that may be accelerated by IBD, such as osteoporosis and risk of falls, while maintaining close communication with primary care providers.
Advancing research for older adult IBD patients
In addition to providing care, the UCSF IBD Longevity Clinic is committed to advancing research in this field. The team is actively developing research protocols to study patient outcomes and evaluate the effectiveness of their approach, especially since older adults are underrepresented in clinical research and trials for new treatments.
“There are very limited data on how best to care for this population,” said Beck. “We’re aiming to understand how we can prevent or slow the progression of conditions like frailty, cognitive decline, and bone health disorders in older IBD patients. Older adults often have complex health needs, and this clinic gives us the structure to address those needs comprehensively.
The clinic began serving patients in July 2025. Referrals come from the UCSF Colitis and Crohn’s Center, which serves patients across Northern California and neighboring states. As it ramps up operations over the fall, clinic leaders expect to serve hundreds of patients annually, offering both in-person and remote appointments so services can be as convenient and accessible as possible.
The UCSF IBD Longevity Clinic’s launch reflects UCSF’s leadership in geriatrics and comes at a critical time as health care systems nationwide prepare to address the growing needs of an aging population.
“We’re proud to be among the few programs in the country offering this multidisciplinary care model,” said Madhavan. “It’s an exciting step forward for UCSF and for older adults living with IBD.”
About UCSF Health: UCSF Health is recognized worldwide for its innovative patient care, reflecting the latest medical knowledge, advanced technologies and pioneering research. It includes the flagship UCSF Medical Center, which is among the nation’s best hospitals, as well as UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, with campuses in San Francisco and Oakland; two community hospitals, UCSF Health St. Mary’s and UCSF Health Saint Francis; Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital; UCSF Benioff Children’s Physicians; and the UCSF Faculty Practice. These hospitals serve as the academic medical center of the University of California, San Francisco, which is world-renowned for its graduate-level health sciences education and biomedical research. UCSF Health has affiliations with hospitals and health organizations throughout the Bay Area. Visit www.ucsfhealth.org. Follow UCSF Health on Facebook or on LinkedIn.