Patient-reported symptoms are a more reliable predictor of the societal burden compared to established physician-reported activity indices in inflammatory bowel disease: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe societal burden of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is not well documented, and further studies are needed to quantify the costs of the disease state. Thus, the aim was to estimate the societal burden and identify its predictors.MethodsA cross-sectional questionnaire-based study complemented by objective data from patient medical records was performed for patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).ResultsWe analyzed data from 161 patients (CD: 102, UC: 59). The overall work impairment reached 15.4%, 11.2% vs. 28.8% without/with self-reported symptoms (p = 0.006). Daily activity impairment was 19.3%, 14.1% vs. 35.6% (p < 0.001). The disability pension rate was 28%, 23% vs. 44% (p = 0.012). The total productivity loss due to absenteeism, presenteeism, and disability amounted to 7,673 euro/patient/year, 6,018 vs. 12,354 euro/patient/year (p = 0.000). Out-of-pocket costs amounted to 562 euro/patient/year, 472 vs. 844 euro/patient/year (p = 0.001). Self-reported symptoms were the strongest predictor of costs (p < 0.001).ConclusionWe found a high societal burden for IBD and a significant association between patient-reported disease symptoms and work disability, daily activity impairment, disability pensions, and out-of-pocket costs. Physician-reported disease activity is not a reliable predictor of costs except for out-of-pocket expenses.

Automated summary

By conducting a questionnaire-based study and analyzing patient data, it was found that inflammatory bowel diseases have a significant societal burden. Self-reported symptoms were found to be the strongest predictor of costs associated with the disease.