Optimizing Care in IBD: Evidence, Cost, and Patient Goals

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)–Crohn’s disease (CD), and ulcerative colitis (UC) –have low remission rates, indicating that conventional treatment approaches are suboptimal for patients. Treatment goals in IBD have evolving beyond symptomatic relief to sustained remission and mucosal healing to prevent continued damage, disability, and surgical intervention.

It is critical to identify patients at high risk for colectomy and plan their treatment appropriately with earlier, more aggressive utilization of immunomodulators and biologic agents; a step-down approach, in order to optimize mucosal healing and remission before permanent structural damage has occurred. Rising costs of specialty drugs are on the mind of specialty and managed care pharmacy directors, patients, and practicing physicians. When reviewing annual cost of care associated with IBD treatment, it is important to evaluate both direct costs (e.g. medication, surgery, hospitalization, lab tests) and indirect costs (e.g. quality of life, work/school productivity, absenteeism, disability).

In this CME Outfitters Live and On Demand, expert faculty will highlight the clinical progression of IBD and its impact on patient outcomes and treatment choices. The panel will address risk/benefit of treatment options, direct and indirect cost, and clinical considerations critical to informed decisions about treatment plans for individuals with IBD.