The 2023 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: Executive Summary

• Published in: Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Vol. 6; no. Supplement_2; pp. S1 - S8
• Main Authors: Windsor, Joseph W, Kuenzig, M Ellen, Murthy, Sanjay K, Bitton, Alain, Bernstein, Charles N, Jones, Jennifer L, Lee, Kate, Targownik, Laura E, Peña-Sánchez, Juan-Nicolás, Rohatinsky, Noelle, Ghandeharian, Sara, Im, James H B, Davis, Tal, Weinstein, Jake, Goddard, Quinn, Gorospe, Julia, Benchimol, Eric I, Kaplan, Gilaad G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Oxford University Press 01.09.2023
• Subjects: Caregivers; Inflammatory bowel disease; Supplement; Canada; Issues affecting the IBD community; Treatment; Comorbidities; Crohn’s disease; Ulcerative colitis
• ISSN: 2515-2084; 2515-2092; 2515-2092
• DOI: 10.1093/jcag/gwad003

Abstract The burden of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (i.e., associated direct and indirect costs, prevalence of disease, personal impact to the individual and to caregivers) continues to increase in Canada. The prevalence of IBD has increased since Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s 2018 Impact of IBD report from an estimated 270,000 Canadians living with IBD in 2018 to an estimated 322,600 Canadians living with IBD today in 2023. Consequently, associated costs of IBD have also dramatically increased from an estimated $2.57 billion in 2018 to an estimated $5.38 billion in 2023; this increase is due to multiple factors including increased prevalence of disease, inflation, and additional identified factors (e.g., presenteeism, costs of childcare). Beyond the economic impact of IBD, these diseases have a significant impact on people living with the disease and their caregivers, including different presentations of disease, different commonly associated extra-intestinal manifestations or comorbid conditions, and different barriers to accessing care. In this supplementary issue, we review: Evolving trends in the epidemiology of IBD; updated estimates of indirect and direct costs (including out-of-pocket costs) associated with IBD; information specific to IBD in children, adolescents, and seniors; issues related to IBD pertaining to sex and gender; information specific to risks associated with COVID-19 and cancer related to IBD; an overview of current treatments for IBD; and evolving care models, including access to care. Lay Summary Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects many people. IBD is a disease that causes the intestines to become inflamed. This impact of IBD includes the number of people living with IBD, the cost to treat IBD, and personal impact on people living with IBD and their families. The burden of IBD is rising in Canada. In 2018, roughly 270,000 Canadians were living with IBD. In 2023, roughly 322,600 Canadians are living with IBD. The costs to treat people with IBD are also rising. Treating IBD cost roughly $2.57 billion in 2018. In 2023, treating IBD costs roughly $5.38 billion. This increase is because more people are living with IBD. Costs have also increased. Further, we include extra factors in the cost—like the cost of childcare. IBD also has a major impact on people living with the disease. The effects of the disease can be different for children versus seniors or others with IBD. Other medical conditions may be more common for people with IBD, such as cancer or infections. Also, different groups like Indigenous people or people living outside of cities may have problems accessing care. These and other issues about the care of IBD are reviewed in this summary.