INTRODUCTION: It is expected that in 2020, elderly people will reach 13% of the Brazilian population. This involves epidemiologic and medical concerns. There is few data in the literature regarding colorectal and anal diseases in this population. OBJECTIVE: to compare data about colorectal and anal conditions in elderly people (older than 60 years) with younger patients, including associated diseases, surgical procedures and complications. METHOD: The charts of the patients of the outpatient colorectal unit were retrospectively reviewed. They were divided in two groups: older than 60 years (group I) and younger than 60 years (controls, group II). RESULTS: 1126 patients were included in this study. 19,36% were older than 60 years. The average number of complaints in the group I was 1,21. Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea and positive fecal occult blood test were more frequent in the elderly. Anorectal complaints were more prevalent in the control group. The more prevalent conditions in group I, with statistical significance, were: diverticular disease, colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer. In group I, 58,36% had associated diseases. There was no statistical significance between the groups regarding surgical procedures and complications. CONCLUSIONS: Colonic diseases were more prevalent in the elderly group. They had more associated diseases compared with younger patients. There was no statistical difference between the groups regarding surgical treatment and complications.
Ageing; Elderly; Colorectal surgery; Surgical procedures
