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Resumen Objetivos describir la actividad desarrollada en la Unidad de Atencion Crohn-Colitis (UACC) en sus 9 anos de funcionamiento y su linea virtual ( http://www.ua-cc.org ). Material y metodos revision retrospectiva de la actividad presencial y a distancia desempenada en la UACC desde enero de 1999 a junio de 2007 (mediante el analisis de los datos disponibles en la base de datos), y del portal web de la UACC desde enero de 2002 (datos disponibles en el entorno web de uso privado). Resultados el numero de pacientes ha ido aumentando de forma progresiva, y actualmente es de 1.784. Hay una distribucion igual por genero (880 varones y 904 mujeres) y diagnostico (849 con enfermedad de Crohn y 893 con colitis ulcerosa). La poblacion atendida esencialmente es menor de 50 anos (1.404 pacientes). La atencion a distancia (telefonica y fax) ha sido la prioritaria, se han atendido 11.173 demandas y de forma presencial 5.164. La mayoria de las demandas (15.198) han sido consultas especificas sobre la enfermedad. Desde la UACC, tambien se registran los tratamientos corticoideos, inmunomoduladores, agentes biologicos y granulocitoaferesis (663 en el ultimo ano). El portal web ha recibido mas de 150.000 visitas y cuenta con 3.698 usuarios registrados (1.552 pacientes, 1.374 profesionales de la salud, 384 familiares de pacientes y 388 de otras instituciones), la mayoria espanoles y de paises sudamericanos (2.087 y 1.555, respectivamente). Conclusiones la UACC presta una atencion continuada, participativa y dinamica, que promociona el control a distancia y optimiza la atencion sanitaria de los pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal.

To describe the activity performed in the Crohn-Colitis Care Unit (CCCU) and its web portal (http://www.ua-cc.org) during the first 9 years (1999-2007).We retrospectively reviewed the presential and non-presential activity carried out in the CCCU from January 1999 to June 2007 by analyzing the data available in the data base and in the CCCU web portal from January 2002 (data available from the private web environment).The number of patients has progressively increased, and currently stands at 1784. There is equal distribution by gender (880 men vs 904 women) and diagnosis (849 Crohn's disease vs 893 ulcerative colitis). Patients are mostly younger than 50 years old (1404 patients). The non-presential resources (telephone and fax) have been used to a greater extent than the presential resources (11,173 vs 5164). Most requests (15,198) have been specific consultations relating to the disease. The CCCU also monitors treatments such as corticosteroids, immunomodulators, biological agents and granulocyte apheresis (663 in the last year). The web portal has received more than 150,000 visits and has 3698 registered users (1552 patients, 1374 health professionals, 384 relatives of patients, and 388 institutions), mostly from Spain and Latin America (2087 and 1555 respectively).The CCCU offers continued, participative and dynamic care, which promotes remote healthcare and optimizes the care of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease has classically been considered a disorder with onset in young people. However, between 5 and 15% of patients are diagnosed when aged more than 60 years old. Epidemiological studies comparing these two age groups are controversial and consequently new studies are required to define the characteristics in each group.To determine the epidemiological characteristics specific to Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in the elderly and to compare these characteristics with the form of presentation in young people in Spain.We performed a case-control, descriptive study. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease registered in the database of the Crohn-Colitis Unit were included. The patients were stratified in two groups according to age at symptom onset: the first group consisted of patients with onset at age 60 years or above and the second group was a control group consisting of patients aged less than 60 years old. The control group was composed of two patients for each case matched by sex and diagnosis.Thirty-three cases aged more than 60 years old (4.1%) were included, eight with Crohn's disease and 25 with ulcerative colitis. The control group included 66 patients (16 with Crohn's disease and 50 with ulcerative colitis). Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups both in the form of presentation (tenesmus and occlusive symptoms were more frequent and abdominal pain was less frequent in the group aged more than 60 years than in the control group) and in treatment response (corticosteroid dependency and refractoriness and requirement for immunosuppressive treatment were more frequent in the elderly).The results of the present study suggest that there are epidemiological differences in inflammatory bowel disease among the elderly, notably a lower frequency of abdominal pain and a lower rate of refractoriness to steroid treatment.

To assess the activity of the Crohn-Colitis Care Unit (CCCU) and of its web site: http://www.ua-cc.orgThe CCCU is a unit for the education and health promotion of patients with inflammatory bowel disease and their immediate circle. It includes a coordination center with a multidisciplinary team that manages patients' requests. The main means of contact is through telephone and the Web.After 3 years, there are 956 users registered in the CCCU, of which 87% are patients who generated more than 4,500 consultations on multiple topics. Telephone consultations account for 67% of all consultations and there are 500 users registered in the Web.The preliminary results suggest that the integral approach of the CCCU and its web site have had a significant impact on patients with inflammatory bowel disease.