Costs of care for Crohn's disease following the introduction of infliximab: a single-centre UK experience

Background Infliximab is effective for induction and maintenance of remission in patients with Crohn's disease. There are few data, however, examining effect of infliximab therapy on management costs of Crohn's disease. Aim To assess Crohn's disease-related costs of care and resource use in a single-centre cohort of patients with Crohn's disease 12 months pre- and post-infliximab therapy. Methods Data on 100 consecutive patients receiving infliximab were collected. Crohn's disease-related resource use was collected 12 months pre- and post-infliximab. National Health Service reference costs were applied to these data and the total Crohn's disease-related health service costs per patient were calculated (UK) pound. The cost of infliximab therapy was not included in our analysis. Results Cost savings were demonstrated in all areas of Crohn's disease-related resource use following infliximab therapy. Mean total Crohn's disease-related cost reduction, 12 months following commencement of infliximab therapy, was 2750 pound per patient. Mean costs at 12 months post-infliximab in responders were lower than in nonresponders (1656 pound vs. 3608 pound, P = 0.02). The number of hospitalizations was reduced. Requirements for examination under anaesthesia were also significantly decreased. Conclusion Infliximab use resulted in Crohn's disease-related cost savings and hospital resource use, although this was not sufficient to cover the cost of therapy.