OBJECTIVES: Describe the use of health resources related to the management of moderate to severe Crohn’s disease (CD) in Brazil.

METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis that collected data from patient medical records in multiple Brazilian centres in 2017. Healthcare resource utilization data related to the management of patients (≥18 years old) diagnosed with moderate to severe CD at least 6 months before the inclusion day were presented using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: A total of 264 patients with moderate to severe CD were included in this analysis. The mean age of the patients was 42.9±12.96 years and 54.2% were female. The mean weight and body mass index were 69kg ±14.52 and 25.1 kg/m2 (15.2-44 kg/m2), respectively. The time since diagnosis of moderate to severe CD was on average 8.0±6.3 years. Surgeries were required in 25.4% of patients and the average number of surgeries per patient was 1.6±0.9. The majority (20.4%) of surgeries were anal procedures (fistulectomy). The number of mean hospitalizations was 1.7±0.89 times for CD patients with a mean duration of 0.4 months. The mean medical appointments per patient was 12.1±6.81 during the period and more than 90% corresponded to an IBD specialist visit. The number of imaging and laboratory tests performed was on average 21.8±18.1 per patient. Hemogram was the most frequent test performed (40.8%), followed by C-reactive protein (31.2%). Biological therapy was the most common type of therapy (36.5%), followed by immunosuppressants (36.1%). Regarding biological treatment, 20.3% of dose changes were due to poor effectiveness.

CONCLUSIONS: Moderate to severe CD was associated with substantial healthcare resource utilization in Brazil.