The direct and indirect cost burden of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the direct medical and indirect (absenteeism and short-term disability) cost burden of Crohn's Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC).


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
CD and UC are costly diseases with a significant cost burden related to health care utilization and productivity loss.
Gibson
Teresa B
TB
Thomson Healthcare, Research Division, Ann Arbor, Mich 48108, USA. teresa.gibson@thomson.com
Ng
Eliza
E
Ozminkowski
Ronald J
RJ
Wang
Shaohung
S
Burton
Wayne N
WN
Goetzel
Ron Z
RZ
Maclean
Ross
R
D000041:Absenteeism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000191:economics* / Q000601:surgery; D015897:Comorbidity; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000191:economics* / Q000601:surgery; D016208:Databases, Factual; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000191:economics*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult