Understanding Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, are chronic, incurable conditions that significantly impact patients’ emotional, professional, and financial lives. These diseases also impose substantial burdens on healthcare systems.
The Financial Burden of IBD Treatment in Mexico
Jorge de León, a colorectal surgeon and founder of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic at the General Hospital in Mexico City, emphasized the high costs associated with treating IBD in Mexico.
- Annual medical costs per patient: Ranging from $9,000 to $19,000 USD.
- Comparison with developed nations: Treatment costs in Mexico are comparable to or even higher than those in developed countries like the United States, Canada, and several European nations, where annual costs per patient range from $9,000 to $12,000 USD.
De León also highlighted that IBD directly affects productivity, particularly impacting individuals aged 20 to 49—the most productive years of life.
Productivity Loss Due to IBD
A study conducted at the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic of the General Hospital in Mexico, involving 86 patients, revealed that over 40% lost workdays within a six-month to one-year period, and more than 50% lost their jobs due to the condition.
Moreover, patients with IBD may experience a 40% decrease in productivity due to absenteeism or limitations in fully performing their activities because of symptoms associated with the disease, leading to economic losses for companies.
Common Symptoms and Rising Prevalence
Common symptoms of IBD include constant diarrhea, bleeding, chronic pain, fatigue, malnutrition, and anemia.
De León stressed that the economic impact of IBD is significant and could increase for patients without proper disease management. He attributed the rising number of cases to “the westernization of diet,” explained by Dr. Jesús Yamamoto, an internal medicine and gastroenterology specialist.
“Today, patients increase their consumption of complex carbohydrates, saturated fats, decrease fruit and vegetable intake, which obviously leads to changes in the bacterial composition in the intestines,” noted Dr. Yamamoto.
Although precise data is unavailable in Mexico, it was estimated that around 4 million people worldwide suffered from IBD in 2019.
Addressing the Challenges
Experts agree on the importance of timely diagnosis and strengthening the training of primary care physicians to ensure access to innovative therapies that improve the quality of life for those living with IBD.
They emphasized the significance of clinical research to develop more innovative therapies that reduce the impact of IBD. Recent advances, such as the drug guselkumab by Johnson & Johnson, have shown benefits in treating IBD patients.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)? IBD includes conditions like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, which are chronic, incurable, and affect patients’ emotional, professional, and financial lives.
- What are the annual medical costs for IBD patients in Mexico? The average cost ranges from $9,000 to $19,000 USD per patient annually.
- How does IBD impact productivity? IBD can lead to significant productivity loss due to absenteeism, job loss, and decreased performance at work.
- What are common IBD symptoms? Common symptoms include constant diarrhea, bleeding, chronic pain, fatigue, malnutrition, and anemia.
- Why is the prevalence of IBD rising? The westernization of diet, characterized by increased consumption of complex carbohydrates and saturated fats alongside decreased intake of fruits and vegetables, is contributing to the rising prevalence of IBD.
- What measures are being taken to address the challenges posed by IBD? Experts emphasize timely diagnosis, strengthening primary care physician training, and ensuring access to innovative therapies through clinical research.
