Trends in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease-attributable direct costs: a population-based analysis

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Health Economics
• Public Health

Background:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) imposes substantial financial burdens on patients and healthcare systems.
• Evidence regarding the direct costs attributable to pediatric IBD is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends in direct costs associated with pediatric IBD over time.
• To quantify the economic impact of childhood IBD using population-based data.

Main Methods:

• Population-based analysis using Manitoba Health Provider Claims and registry data (1995-2017).
• Matched cohort design comparing children with and without IBD.
• Direct costs calculated from utilization data and cost estimates, including inpatient and outpatient services.

Main Results:

• Median annual physician service costs per patient increased from $381 (1995) to $936 (2017).
• Median annual medication costs surged from $270 (1995) to $7944 (2017).
• Overall median annual direct costs per patient rose from $1810 (2004) to $14,791 (2017).

Conclusions:

• Paediatric IBD-attributable direct costs have significantly increased over two decades.
• Medication costs are the primary driver of this escalating financial burden in childhood IBD.