Inflammatory bowel disease: medical cost algorithms

J Clin Gastroenterol. 1992 Jun;14(4):318-27. doi: 10.1097/00004836-199206000-00010.

Abstract

In this study we describe medical cost estimates for the two major types of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, using a literature-based medical decision algorithm costing methodology. Surgery and inpatient costs were estimated to account for roughly half of inflammatory bowel disease medical costs. Outpatient medical care represented only 3.0-7.1% of average cost of medical care for inflammatory bowel disease; initial diagnostic workups were only 1.5-7.8% of medical costs. Long-term complications were estimated to average $439 for ulcerative colitis, nearly twice the average for Crohn's disease. Medications averaged about 10% of total costs. The average annual medical cost per patient with Crohn's disease was estimated at $6,561 (1990 U.S. dollars). The total annual medical costs for U.S. Crohn's disease patients in 1990 was estimated at $1.0-1.2 billion. The average annual medical cost per patient with ulcerative colitis was estimated at $1,488. The total annual medical costs for U.S. patients with ulcerative colitis in 1990 was estimated at $0.4-0.6 billion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / economics*
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / epidemiology
  • Costs and Cost Analysis / methods
  • Crohn Disease / economics*
  • Crohn Disease / epidemiology
  • Drug Therapy / economics
  • Health Care Costs / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Models, Econometric*
  • Prevalence
  • Surgical Procedures, Operative / economics
  • United States / epidemiology