Elderly-onset UC patients are increasing in number. These patients have higher risk of opportunistic infections, hospitalisation, colorectal cancer, and mortality than non-elderly-onset patients. Management and therapeutic strategies in this special group need careful attention.

A combination of 3 simple clinical parameters may be useful for screening for severe oropharyngeal dysphagia as shown radiologically in subjects with Parkinson's disease.

In a population-based study in Hong Kong, prevalence of IBD is lower than in the west although comparable to that of other East Asian countries. Complicated CD is common. Overall mortality remains low in Asians with IBD.

In the Chinese population, low-dose AZA is effective for maintaining remission in steroid-dependent UC patients. Standard-dose AZA was associated with more than threefold increased risk of leukopenia.

These findings provide further objective evidence for defective visceral afferent transmission in irritable bowel syndrome patients.