OBJECTIVES : This study assesses the burden and cost of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in Portugal, to support the definition of health policies, resource allocation and patient care. The results will hopefully raise awareness of the disease and drive new scientific research and better clinical and economical decisions.

BACKGROUND Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), specifically Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Disease (CD), are chronic diseases that affect an increasing number of people in western societies. Its increasing incidence and prevalence place a heavy health and economic burden on society.

METHODS : The burden of disease was expressed using disability-adjusted life years (DALY). Costs were estimated considering the societal perspective, using a prevalence-based model. For costs, the Diagnosis-Related Group Funding price from the National Healthcare Service and unitary prices established by law were used. Direct costs comprise hospitalisations, surgeries, medical appointments, emergency visits, pharmacological treatment, exams and transportation, while indirect costs were calculated from patient and caretaker absence, presenteeism, early retirement and premature death. An expert panel composed by 5 expert Portuguese gastroenterologists and a patient reported study were conducted to support the cost analysis and fill in information gaps.

RESULTS : In Portugal, with an estimated prevalence of 24,070 IBD patients and an incidence of 15/100,000, the burden of disease for 2019 was estimated at 6,067 DALYs: 507 resulting from premature deaths and 5,560 from disability. Total cost was estimated at €146 million per year, with direct costs representing 59% of this. Average yearly cost per IBD patient is €6,075, where 60% is related to CD and 40% to UC.

CONCLUSIONS : This study estimates the annual health burden and cost of IBD in Portugal, thus generating information with the intent to raise awareness of the need to advance health policies, as well as better clinical and economic decisions in this pathology.