title: [Integrated management of patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease in the Rhine-Main Region: results of the first integrated health-care project IBD in Germany].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In our previous studies investigating the drug therapy in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the Rhein-Main region, Germany, we detected serious discrepancies between treatment reality and treatment guidelines. Consecutively, patient outcome in this cohort was compromised. Following this pilot project a network between primary deliverers of care for IBD patients and one large health-care insurance company [BKK Taunus (Gesundheit), the second largest insurance company in Hessen, Germany] was established.
  
  
  METHODS
  An analysis of treatment and socioeconomic data from 220 IBD patients (Crohn's disease - CD = 96, ulcerative colitis - UC = 124) entering the integrative health-care programme between 1.1.-30.9.2009 was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Remission rates for CD and UC in the integrated health-care programme could be improved from 60 - 73 % (CD) and from 61 - 79 % (UC). Guideline-conform treatment was observed in 81 % of patients with CD and 85 % with UC, respectively. Although medication costs increased, total costs could be cut by 162 304.- €, as secondary costs for hospitalisation and days off work could be reduced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study shows that networking of deliverers of care for IBD patients with health insurances provides an excellent possibility to optimise medical treatment and can cut down costs significantly.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik 1, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main. Irina.Blumenstein@kgu.de
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Blumenstein
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tacke
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Filmann
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zosel
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bock
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Heuzeroth
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zeuzem
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Schröder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003363:Cost Control / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome