title: Inflammatory bowel disease: medical cost algorithms.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90033.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Hay
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Hay
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis / Q000379:methods; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000191:economics; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D017059:Models, Econometric; D015995:Prevalence; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000191:economics; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology