Clinical course and costs of care for Crohn's disease: Markov model analysis of a population-based cohort

Background & Aims: Crohn's disease results in substantial morbidity and hig h use of health services. The aim of this study was to describe the lifetim e clinical course and costs of Crohn's disease in a 24-year population base d inception cohort of patients with Crohn's disease in Olmsted County, Minn esota. Methods: Disease states were defined by medical and surgical treatme nt. A Markov model analysis calculated time in each disease state and prese nt value of excess lifetime costs in comparison with an age- and sex-matche d cohort. Results: For a representative patient, projected lifetime costs w ere $39,906 per patient using median charges and $125,404 using mean charge s. There were 29.1 years (63% of total) without medications. There were 12. 7 years (27%) on aminosalicylate therapy, generating $11,467 (29%) in charg es, and 3.2 years (7%) on corticosteroid or immunosuppressive therapy, gene rating $5147 (13%) in charges. Surgery generated $17,526 (44%) in charges. Conclusions: Most of the clinical course is spent in remission, either medi cal or surgical. Aminosalicylate therapy accounts for 29% of the costs of c are. Surgery has the highest charges but the longest remissions. Treatment strategies that induce remission in mild disease and maintain remission wit h lower-cost maintenance therapy will have the largest effect on patient ou tcomes and costs.