Patterns and Predictors of Long-term Nonuse of Medical Therapy Among Persons with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The Cost of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care: How to Make it Sustainable

The rising global prevalence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, underscores the need to examine current and future IBD care costs. Direct health care expenses, including ambulatory visits, hospitalizations, and medications, are substantial, averaging $9,000 to $12,000 per person annually in high-income regions. However, these estimates do not fully account for factors such as disease severity, accessibility, and variability in health care infrastructure among regions. Indirect costs, predominantly stemming from loss in productivity due to absenteeism, presenteeism, and other intangible costs, further contribute to the financial burden of IBD. Despite efforts to quantify indirect costs, many aspects remain poorly understood, leading to an underestimation of their actual impact. Challenges to achieving cost sustainability include disparities in access, treatment affordability, and the absence of standardized cost-effective care guidelines. Strategies for making IBD care sustainable include early implementation of biologic therapies, focusing on cost-effectiveness in settings with limited resources, and promoting the uptake of biosimilars to reduce direct costs. Multidisciplinary care teams leveraging technology and patient-reported outcomes also hold promise in reducing both direct and indirect costs associated with IBD. Addressing the increasing financial burden of IBD requires a comprehensive approach that tackles disparities, enhances access to cost-effective therapeutics, and promotes collaborative efforts across health care systems. Embracing innovative strategies can pave the way for personalized, cost-effective care accessible to all individuals with IBD, ensuring better outcomes and sustainability.

The cost of inflammatory bowel disease in high-income settings: a Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology Commission

The cost of caring for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) continues to increase worldwide. The cause is not only a steady increase in the prevalence of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in both developed and newly industrialised countries, but also the chronic nature of the diseases, the need for long-term, often expensive treatments, the use of more intensive disease monitoring strategies, and the effect of the diseases on economic productivity. This Commission draws together a wide range of expertise to discuss the current costs of IBD care, the drivers of increasing costs, and how to deliver affordable care for IBD in the future. The key conclusions are that (1) increases in health-care costs must be evaluated against improved disease management and reductions in indirect costs, and (2) that overarching systems for data interoperability, registries, and big data approaches must be established for continuous assessment of effectiveness, costs, and the cost-effectiveness of care. International collaborations should be sought out to evaluate novel models of care (eg, value-based health care, including integrated health care, and participatory health-care models), as well as to improve the education and training of clinicians, patients, and policy makers.

Continued 5ASA use after initiation of anti-TNF or immunomodulator confers no benefit in IBD: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

With the advent of biological therapy in IBD, it is uncertain to what extent 5aminosalicylates (5ASA) are used.

AIMS

To explore whether or not 5ASA is continued once biological or immunomodulator therapy is initiated, and the outcomes in those who continued the 5ASAs.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the population-based University of Manitoba IBD Epidemiologic Database which includes prescription drug dispensation from 1996 through 2018. We assessed outcomes among 5ASA users who continued versus discontinued 5ASA after initiation of anti-TNF therapy or immunomodulators.

RESULTS

In all, 8379 (77%) of persons with IBD received at least one 5ASA dispensation (85% of ulcerative colitis, UC and 68% of Crohn's disease, CD). There was a reduction in later years, particularly for CD. The most common pattern of 5ASA use was intermittent at 65.1% (stopping and restarting use) versus one-time (4.1%), previous continuous (13.8%) and persistent (17%). Among the total IBD population use was 59% oral, 3% rectal and 14% combination. Of all 5ASA starts, only 25% were continued longer than 20 months. After immunomodulator or anti-TNF initiation, there was no difference in either UC or CD for negative outcomes (hospitalisation, surgery, corticosteroid starts, colorectal cancers or drug-related adverse events) between those who continued 5ASA versus those who discontinued.

CONCLUSIONS

5ASA remains commonly prescribed in UC and CD. Rates of persistent use in UC are low. Once an anti-TNF or immunomodulator is initiated, continuation of 5ASA seems to add no benefit.

Gastroenterologist Consultation Is Uncommon but Associated with Improved Care Among IBD Patients Presenting to Emergency Departments in Winnipeg Hospitals

OBJECTIVE

To describe the patterns of care when persons with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) present to the Emergency Department (ED) and post-ED follow-up.

METHODS

We linked the University of Manitoba IBD Epidemiology Database with the Emergency Department Information System of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2012. We then generated a list of all ED attendances by persons with IBD at four of six hospitals within the City of Winnipeg (two academic and two community hospitals). The charts were reviewed by two investigators extracting data on testing, consulting and treatment undertaken in the ED as well as postdischarge follow-up. We focused on outcomes among those attending the ED but not admitted to hospital.

RESULTS

Of 1275 IBD patients with a first visit to the ED, 523 (41%) were for IBD-specific complaints. Three hundred and twenty-seven (62.5%) were discharged from the ED without an in-hospital admission. Nearly 80% had an identified gastrointestinal (GI) specialist (either gastroenterologist or GI surgeon) involved in their care. A gastroenterologist was consulted in the ED 20% of the time. Follow-up post-ED with a gastroenterologist was only documented in 36%. For those who saw a gastroenterologist in the ED, there was more likely to be a change in medications and follow-up arranged with a gastroenterologist. ED consultation with a gastroenterologist was the only predictor of seeing a gastroenterologist in follow-up post-ED.

CONCLUSIONS

ED gastroenterology consultation is more likely to effect IBD management change. When discharged from the ED gastroenterology, follow-up should be arranged and documented.

Natural history of children with mild Crohn’s disease

BACKGROUND

There is a small and poorly studied population of patients with mild and limited Crohn’s disease (CD), who either spontaneously enter remission and can discontinue therapy, or be maintained on milder anti-inflammatory treatment.

AIM

To identify a group of children with mild CD who were not escalated to immunomodulators (azathioprine, mercaptopurine, or methotrexate) or biologics (infliximab or adalimumab) within the first two years after their Crohn’s diagnosis and outline the natural history and phenotypic features of these patients.

METHODS

In a retrospective chart review of the inflammatory bowel disease database at Boston Children’s Hospital we reviewed all the mild CD patient’s clinic visits, laboratory studies, and procedures for the duration of time they were followed at the center. Patients were included if they had clear diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, and they were not escalated to immunosuppressive therapies for at least 2 years after the date of diagnosis. These mild CD patients were compared to controls diagnosed at a similar time, that were treated with immunomodulators or biologics. Data that was abstracted included: Age at diagnosis, sex, disease location utilizing the Paris classification, medical treatment, surgical treatment, endoscopic findings, histology, and hospitalizations. We also analyzed differences in the phenotypic features between those with mild CD and those with moderate to severe disease.

RESULTS

Out of 1205 patients with CD diagnosed between 1990 and 2013, we identified 29 patients that met the inclusion criteria, and they were matched with 58 controls. There were no significant differences between the disease behaviors at presentation, with approximately 90% of patients in each group having inflammatory disease. However, patients with mild disease were more likely to have disease limited to the colon (31% vs 12%, P = 0.03). In contrast, patients with moderate to severe disease (aka control group) were more likely to have ileocolonic disease (70% vs 45% in the mild group, P = 0.02). Of the 29 patients, only 8 required medication escalation to immunomodulators during the period of follow-up. The primary indication for escalation to immune suppressive therapies was corticosteroid dependence. We also found that patients treated without immunomodulators or biologics for mild CD continue to exhibit histologic intestinal inflammation. Of the 29 patients, three developed significant complications of ileal disease, though only one required surgical intervention during the period of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

We identified a cohort of children with mild CD, who were able to avoid the institution of immune suppressive therapies for several years, and generally had good outcomes during the period of follow-up. While a subset of these patients will eventually require either immunosuppression or surgery, the majority of them have a good quality of life despite having low-grade intestinal inflammation. Importantly, this subset of patients has managed to avoid the potential toxicities of immune suppression for several years. The majority of these patients have either colonic disease with minimal small bowel involvement or limited ileal disease.

Past and Future Burden of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Based on Modeling of Population-Based Data

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) exist worldwide, with high prevalence in North America. IBD is complex and costly, and its increasing prevalence places a greater stress on health care systems. We aimed to determine the past current, and future prevalences of IBD in Canada.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study using population-based health administrative data from Alberta (2002-2015), British Columbia (1997-2014), Manitoba (1990-2013), Nova Scotia (1996-2009), Ontario (1999-2014), Quebec (2001-2008), and Saskatchewan (1998-2016). Autoregressive integrated moving average regression was applied, and prevalence, with 95% prediction intervals (PIs), was forecasted to 2030. Average annual percentage change, with 95% confidence intervals, was assessed with log binomial regression.

RESULTS

In 2018, the prevalence of IBD in Canada was estimated at 725 per 100,000 (95% PI 716-735) and annual average percent change was estimated at 2.86% (95% confidence interval 2.80%-2.92%). The prevalence in 2030 was forecasted to be 981 per 100,000 (95% PI 963-999): 159 per 100,000 (95% PI 133-185) in children, 1118 per 100,000 (95% PI 1069-1168) in adults, and 1370 per 100,000 (95% PI 1312-1429) in the elderly. In 2018, 267,983 Canadians (95% PI 264,579-271,387) were estimated to be living with IBD, which was forecasted to increase to 402,853 (95% PI 395,466-410,240) by 2030.

CONCLUSION

Forecasting prevalence will allow health policy makers to develop policy that is necessary to address the challenges faced by health systems in providing high-quality and cost-effective care.

Past Time for Doctors to Lessen their Dependence on Corticosteroids in the Treatment of IBD

Corticosteroids and antibodies to tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) are mainstays of treatment of acutely active IBD and while anti-TNF therapy is indicated for maintenance therapy, chronic corticosteroid therapy is associated with known significant risks. Nonetheless, chronic or recurrent corticosteroid treatment in IBD is common. In this edition of the journal Lewis et al. use Medicaid and Medicare databases to contrast adverse outcomes in persons with IBD and either corticosteroid or anti-TNF use. Compared to high dose corticosteroid use, anti TNF therapy is associated with less risk for death in Crohn's disease but no statistical difference in death outcomes in ulcerative colitis. The adverse effects of corticosteroids are well known yet vigilance is still required to ensure their use is limited to the short term.

Large Registry Epidemiology in IBD

There are different types of large registries which can be harnessed for inflammatory bowel disease research. Not one registry can answer all types of research questions. It is important for both the researchers using the registries and readers of the reports generated, to be aware of the different strengths and weaknesses of each registry and whether the questions posed can reliably be answered. In this review, the use of large administrative databases/registries are discussed in the context of studying descriptive epidemiology, outcomes of inflammatory bowel disease, pharmacoepidemiology, and etiologic research.

Perceived medication adherence barriers mediating effects between gastrointestinal symptoms and health-related quality of life in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective was to investigate the mediating effects of patient-perceived medication adherence barriers in the relationship between gastrointestinal symptoms and generic health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The secondary objective explored patient health communication and gastrointestinal worry as additional mediators with medication adherence barriers in a serial multiple mediator model.

METHODS

The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Medicines, Communication, Gastrointestinal Worry, and Generic Core Scales were completed in a 9-site study by 172 adolescents with IBD. Gastrointestinal Symptoms Scales measuring stomach pain, constipation, or diarrhea and perceived medication adherence barriers were tested for bivariate and multivariate linear associations with HRQOL. Mediational analyses were conducted to test the hypothesized mediating effects of perceived medication adherence barriers as an intervening variable between gastrointestinal symptoms and HRQOL.

RESULTS

The predictive effects of gastrointestinal symptoms on HRQOL were mediated in part by perceived medication adherence barriers. Patient health communication was a significant additional mediator. In predictive analytics models utilizing multiple regression analyses, demographic variables, gastrointestinal symptoms (stomach pain, constipation, or diarrhea), and perceived medication adherence barriers significantly accounted for 45, 38, and 29 percent of the variance in HRQOL (all Ps < 0.001), respectively, demonstrating large effect sizes.

CONCLUSIONS

Perceived medication adherence barriers explain in part the effects of gastrointestinal symptoms on HRQOL in adolescents with IBD. Patient health communication to healthcare providers and significant others further explain the mechanism in the relationship between gastrointestinal symptoms, perceived medication adherence barriers, and HRQOL.

Estimates of Disease Course in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Using Administrative Data: A Population-level Study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

We sought develop a predictive model of disease course in inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] using health care utilization measures from administrative health data, and to apply this model to estimate disease course at a population level over time.

METHODS

Study participants were IBD patients who were prospectively followed for a 1-year period between 2009 and 2010 in a Canadian clinic setting to assess their IBD disease course [i.e. remission, mild, moderate, severe]. Clinic data were linked with population-based administrative health data. A multivariable partial proportional odds model tested health care utilization measures that discriminated disease course groups. The model was applied to project the distribution of disease course for the Manitoba IBD population for 1995-2013.

RESULTS

There were 407 participants (54.3% females, 64.4% Crohn's disease [CD]) with mean age at diagnosis of 29.8 years [SD 14.9]. Forty-one per cent of participants were clinically in remission, while 14.0% had severe IBD. Mild, moderate or severe disease was associated with three or more gastroenterologist visits (odds ratio [OR] = 3.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.03-5.54) or three or more general practitioner visits [OR = 2.97, 95% CI: 1.44-6.37] with an IBD diagnosis and ≥1 radiology test [OR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.31-3.80]. The percentages of the Manitoba IBD population in remission rose steadily from 1995 to 2013 [43.6 to 59.9%], while the percentages of individuals with mild, moderate or severe disease declined.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that health care utilization measures from administrative data can be used to predict disease course in the IBD population.

Clinical predictors of Crohn's disease course

A modern approach to Crohn's disease (CD) should be influenced by the patient's underlying prognosis. Here, I analyse the clinical factors predicting CD course on the basis of information obtained at diagnosis and in the year following diagnosis. Perianal disease at diagnosis appears to be a strong predictor of unfavourable outcome and has been associated with a more frequent use of immunosuppressive treatment. Early age at diagnosis, ileocolonic disease and extraintestinal manifestations are characteristics of patients at risk for more complicated disease. Otherwise, patients subjected to surgery at diagnosis or during the first year of follow-up appear to have a relatively benign outcome. Disease activity in the year after diagnosis appears to be a good predictor of future disease activity as about two-third of the patients who remain in remission tend to remain unchanged thereafter, whereas those patients treated with steroids have, manifestly, an unfavourable subsequent clinical course. Moreover, there is consistent evidence that active smoking is associated with a complicated disease course. The results of the studies reviewed suggest that the combination of 'phenotype at diagnosis' and 'comportment follow-up classification' in the year following diagnosis can be potentially useful prognostic factors in clinical practice. With the development of newer therapies in CD, there is a growing need to predict disease outcome, despite the difficult challenge in anticipating the future clinical course in a given patient.

Does everyone with inflammatory bowel disease need to be treated with combination therapy?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article describes the evolution of combination therapy in inflammatory bowel disease and how to determine when combination may not be necessary.

RECENT FINDINGS

The combination of an immunosuppressive agent with an antibody to tumor necrosis factor has proven to be more effective than monotherapy with either an immunosuppressive agent or an antibody to tumor necrosis factor alone. The emergence of therapeutic drug monitoring has identified the importance of maintaining adequate circulating drug levels and suppressing antibody formation to the biological agent. The concomitant use of an immunosuppressive agent can help effect this. Although this may be optimal therapy in moderately ill patients. I review why there still remains a role for using monotherapy with immunosuppressive agents, as well as consideration of therapy withdrawal.

SUMMARY

Although combination therapy is the treatment of choice in persons with moderate to severe disease or who have lost response to biological monotherapy, there remains a role for monotherapy with immunosuppressive agents. Though the newer biological therapies are mostly not used in combination, this may be a future approach considering their response rates are also correlated with higher drug levels. Many persons with inflammatory bowel disease can remain well on an immunosuppressive agent alone and some can even maintain a longstanding remission off all therapy.

Rates and Reasons for Nonuse of Prescription Medication for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a Referral Clinic

BACKGROUND

We aimed to determine the rates and reasons for nonuse of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-specific medication in a referral clinic.

METHODS

Consecutive persons with Crohn's disease (CD) (n = 423) and ulcerative colitis (UC) (n = 342) were followed in a single clinic over 2 years. At each patient visit, it was determined whether and what type of IBD-specific medications were used at that visit. If medications were not used, the reason for nonuse was recorded. Disease remission, further stratified by "clinical remission" and "deep remission" (clinical remission plus imaging evidence of remission), was considered a reason for nonuse if the attending physician believed the person was in remission and agreed for them to be off medications.

RESULTS

Nonuse of IBD-specific medication was seen in 121 persons with CD (29%) and 65 persons with UC (18%). In CD, increased age and disease duration were associated with nonuse; disease phenotype did not predict nonuse. In UC, disease duration was associated with nonuse but age was not. In CD, the most common reason for medication nonuse was deep remission (22.5%), followed by clinical remission (21.4%), not having seen a gastroenterologist for a lengthy period (21.4%) and nonadherence (16%). In UC, nonuse was attributed to deep remission (27.7%), followed by nonadherence (26.3%) and clinical remission (23%).

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately a quarter of persons with IBD attending at a tertiary care practice do not use IBD-specific medications with a higher rate in CD than UC. The decision not to use medications was deemed appropriate in approximately one-half of all nonusers.