Epidemiology and healthcare resource utilization in inflammatory bowel disease in Colombia between 2017 and 2021: A...

The incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are increasing across Latin America. IBD has an important impact on patients' quality of life and is associated with significant healthcare resource utilization (HCRU). This study aimed to describe the more recent epidemiological characteristics and HCRU patterns of IBD in Colombia.

Retrospective study using real-world data from the national claims database SISPRO (Sistema de Información para la Protección Social) between 2017 and 2021. The data considered were sociodemographic (sex and age), epidemiological (incidence, prevalence, and mortality), and HCRU data.

We identified 54,961 cases of prevalent ulcerative colitis (UC) and 13,136 cases of Crohn's disease (CD). Between 2017 and 2019, the incidence rates for UC increased from 3.82 to 5.18 per 100,000 individuals, while the incidence for CD rose from 0.48 to 0.83 per 100,000. The prevalence of these conditions reached its highest point in 2019, with UC at 48.65 and CD at 15.41 per 100,000 population. Mortality data indicated 259 deaths registered with UC and 77 with CD. The utilization of biologic therapies saw a significant rise from 2020 to 2021, particularly with anti-TNF agents being the most frequently prescribed. The patterns observed in outpatient visits and hospital admissions followed similar trajectories, exhibiting a downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study examined the epidemiology, HCRU, and costs of IBD in Colombia using SISPRO data. Despite a decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence and prevalence of IBD have increased over time, accompanied by elevated HCRU and medication costs. These insights could contribute to informed decision-making and resource allocation for enhanced patient care in Colombia.