The quality of life impact of digestive diseases and disorders on those affected is far-reaching, as too is the societal cost.

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Disease (CD) are the two main types of disease when there is prolonged inflammation of the digestive tract.

With UC and CD incidence increasing globally and the advent of biological drugs, the associated economic burden is substantial but yet little evidence on medical direct, medical non-direct and societal costs and burden exists. There is also limited evidence on the cost of biologics being offset by a reduction in surgery and hospitalization rates. This in turn, raises the need to understand the role of surgery as an alternative treatment strategy, including reflection in economic models.

Here at HCD Economics, the team are always considering the wider picture, accessing and generating data to disseminate unmet needs and improve models of care.