The direct and indirect cost burden of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Gibson, Teresa B; Ng, Eliza; Ozminkowski, Ronald J; Wang, Shaohung; Burton, Wayne N; Goetzel, Ron Z; Maclean, Ross · J Occup Environ Med · 2008

retrospective_cohort · Level III

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Abstract

To estimate the direct medical and indirect (absenteeism and short-term disability) cost burden of Crohn's Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Data were obtained from 1999 to 2005 MarketScan databases. Twelve-month expenditures for patients with CD and UC were compared to expenditures among an equal number of propensity score matched comparison group patients. Regression analysis controlled for demographics and case-mix. Annual medical expenditures were significantly higher for commercially insured CD and UC patients compared to matched comparison group patients ($18,963 vs $5300 for CD patients, $15,020 vs $4982 for UC patients, respectively, all P < 0.001). Indirect costs were also high for employed patients with these conditions. CD and UC are costly diseases with a significant cost burden related to health care utilization and productivity loss.

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