A study presented at the Crohn’s & Colitis Congress revealed a significant increase in the cost of treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from 2009 to 2019. The key findings of the study include:
Rising Costs Over a Decade: The average cost of treating an IBD patient rose from $8,477 in 2009 to $15,786 in 2018-2019. This represents an average annual percentage change (AAPC) of 6.28%.
Biologics as a Major Cost Factor: A substantial portion of this increase is attributed to the annual cost of biologics. While the cost for biologic medications increased, the average annual cost for nonbiologic IBD-related medications decreased.
Other Contributing Factors: The study also noted increases in costs for emergency department visits and colonoscopies. However, costs related to IBD-related hospitalizations and surgeries remained stable.
Medications as the Largest Cost Contributor: Medications accounted for over half of the total direct healthcare costs for IBD, followed by IBD-related hospitalizations.
The study underscores the need for holistic healthcare treatments to manage IBD effectively and reduce the need for hospitalizations or surgery. It also highlights the importance of addressing the costs associated with medications, suggesting the potential benefit of universal pharmacare. The research calls for further investigation into the indirect costs of IBD on society as a whole.