The lives of an estimated 1.8 million Americans are affected by IBD. With an annual direct cost of $6.4 billion in the US alone, it represents a medical and economic burden on patients, their families and the healthcare system. IBD is an umbrella term describing disorders that cause inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, and the two most common forms are Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).
The primary goal of IBD therapies is clinical remission because this health problem is characterized by cycles of remission and relapse. Biologics currently being used for CD and UC include derivatives of antibodies such as anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha therapies, which work to dampen immune activation. Though biologic therapy is a common solution used to help with IBD, it is thought to be associated with significant costs.
This study charted retrospective data from 21 IBD patients receiving ongoing therapy at a gastrointestinal clinic. The researchers compared data from the patients’ medical records before as well as during 8 weeks of SBI administration. They also collected information from literature on the cost of SBI vs biologics.
The data analysis showed that 7 patients had secondary nonresponsiveness to biologics and the therapeutic regimens they were undergoing didn't result in adequate management of their IBD. When they were given 6 grams per day of SBI, the data showed better overall management and reduced the cost of biologic therapy by $1692 per patient.
The conclusion of this research was that significant yearly savings could be made by incorporating SBI into the diets of individuals with IBD as well as help effectively manage the condition.