Canadian Digestive Health Foundation Public Impact Series. Inflammatory bowel disease in Canada: Incidence, prevalence, and direct and indirect economic impact

Abstract

The Canadian Digestive Health Foundation initiated a scientific program to assess the incidence, prevalence, mortality and economic impact of digestive disorders across Canada in 2009. The current article presents the updated findings from the study concerning inflammatory bowel diseases - specifically, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Figure 1

Incidence rates of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) in Canada. Data from reference

Figure 2

Provincial distribution of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) patients in 2007/2008. AB Alberta; BC British Columbia; MB Manitoba; NB New Brunswick; NF Newfoundland and Labrador; NS Nova Scotia; NU Nunavut; NWT Northwest Territories; ON Ontario; PE Prince Edward Island; QC Quebec; SK Saskatchewan; YU Yukon. Data from the Canadian Common Household Survey, cycle 4.1 (7)

Figure 3

Growth of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) populations in Canada. Data compiled and adapted from three population based surveys: Bernstein et al (1) (1998 to 2000), 2007/2008 Canadian Common Household Survey cycle 4.1 (7) and the 2005 Canadian Common Household Survey cycle 3.1 (8)

Figure 4

Canadians with chronic diseases categorized according to age group for 2008. Arrows highlight the age groups uniquely affected by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. yrs Years. Data adapted from the Canadian Common Household Survey cycle 4.1 (7)

Figure 5

Number of mortalities each year primarily attributed to Crohn’s disease (disease code K50) or ulcerative colitis (disease code K51). Data adapted from reference

Figure 6

Global sales of gastrointestinal anti-inflammatories including mesalamine, hydrocortisone, balsalazide, budesonide and others (representing 19% to 31% of total annual sales). Sales for 2005 and 2006 represent 246 products, while sales figures for 2007 to 2009 represent the combined total for 315 products. Data from reference

Figure 7

Number of physician consultations (Consults) for Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) compared with the number of physician consults among the general population in 2007/2008. Data from the Canadian Common Household Survey, cycle 4.1 for 2007/2008 (7)

Figure 8

Estimated hospitalization costs for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease in 2008. Values obtained from the Patient Cost Estimator for 2008 (18). Est Estimated; No Number; yr Year(s)

Figure 9

Percentage of Canadians permanently unable to work categorized according to chronic disease type. Data obtained from the Canadian Common Household Survey, cycle 4.1 (7)