Direct healthcare costs of Rome IV or Rome III‐defined irritable bowel syndrome in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Summary Background Previous studies have demonstrated a substantial economic impact of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Aims To provide contemporaneous estimates of direct healthcare costs of IBS in the United Kingdom. Methods We collected demographic, gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms, quality of life and healthcare usage data from adults with Rome IV or Rome III IBS in the United Kingdom. We calculated the mean annual direct healthcare costs of IBS per person and used contemporaneous IBS prevalence data, together with census data, to estimate annual direct costs of IBS. We also examined predictors of higher costs. Results The mean annual direct cost of IBS per person among 752 individuals with Rome IV IBS was £556.65 (SD £1023.92) and £474.16 (SD £897.86) for 995 individuals with Rome III IBS. We estimate the annual direct healthcare cost of IBS in the United Kingdom is £1.27 billion if the Rome IV criteria are used to define IBS, and £2.07 billion using Rome III. Among individuals with Rome IV IBS, mean annual costs were higher in those with opiate use (£907.90 vs £470.58, p < 0.001), more severe symptoms (p < 0.001 for trend), a shorter duration of IBS (1 year, £1227.14 vs >5 years £501.60, p = 0.002), lower quality of life (p < 0.001 for trend), and higher depression, somatisation and gastrointestinal symptom‐specific anxiety scores (P < 0.001 for trend for all). Conclusion We estimate annual direct healthcare costs of IBS of between £1.3 and £2 billion in the United Kingdom.

Editorial: estimating the costs of care in irritable bowel syndrome—a necessary step to enhance value‐based care for a high‐prevalence, low‐cost condition

“…Goodoory et al recently provided a contemporary estimate of the direct healthcare expenditures for IBS in the UK. 2 Although IBS costs have been reported previously, these estimates are largely outdated, completed outside of the UK, and/or rely on commercial insurance claims databases. [3][4][5] In this study, the authors recruited individuals registered with ContactME-IBS, a national UK registry of 4280 members with self-reported IBS.…”

“…Goodoory et al recently provided a contemporary estimate of the direct healthcare expenditures for IBS in the UK 2 . Although IBS costs have been reported previously, these estimates are largely outdated, completed outside of the UK, and/or rely on commercial insurance claims databases 3–5 .…”

Editorial: estimating the costs of care in irritable bowel syndrome—a necessary step to enhance value‐based care for a high‐prevalence, low‐cost condition. Authors' reply

“…We thank Drs Berinstein and Fendrick for their thoughtful commentary, 1 in which they discuss our recent article estimating the mean annual direct healthcare costs of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 2 A lack of contemporaneous cost data for a condition as prevalent as IBS has, perhaps, been a major factor in the lack of priority given to funding for IBS research, compared with other gastrointestinal conditions. 3 It also creates the false impression that IBS is not burdensome.…”

“…To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16939 and https://doi. org/10.1111/apt.16956 Vivek C. Goodoory 1,2 Cho Ee Ng 3 Christopher J. Black 1,2 Alexander C. Ford…”

Systematic review and meta‐analysis: efficacy of peppermint oil in irritable bowel syndrome

“…2 IBS is a chronic relapsing and remitting disease, 3 which affects between 4% and 10% of the general population, 4,5 and can occur at any age, although it is more common among younger individuals and women. 4,6 Its high prevalence results in not only a substantial economic burden on the healthcare system and society, 7 estimated at between £1.3 and £2 billion per year in a recent UK study, 8 but also a considerable impact on quality of life, 9 a higher prevalence of psychological illness, 10 and a reduction in work productivity. 11 The pathophysiology of IBS is not fully understood, 12 but it is classified as a disorder of gut-brain interaction (DGBI).…”