Early Use of Biologics Reduces Healthcare Costs in Crohn’s Disease: Results from a United States Population-Based Cohort

Background Early initiation of biologics in moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease (CD) may significantly alter disease progression, resulting in better patient outcomes. Limited real-world data exist on the impact of early biologic use in patients with CD in the United States. Aims We aimed to characterize biologic initiation and subsequent healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) in adults with recently diagnosed CD. Methods Patients with CD who initiated biologic treatment within 2 years of diagnosis (index date) were identified from medical and pharmacy claims (Merative L.P. MarketScan Database from 2010 to 2016) and classified as early (≤ 12 months post-index) or late (> 12–24 months post-index) biologic initiators. Propensity score matching balanced patient characteristics up to 1 year post-index. Differences in HCRU frequency and costs 1–2 years post-index were compared between the matched groups. Results After propensity score matching, 672 pairs of early and late biologic initiators were identified. Patients who initiated biologics early had fewer outpatient visits (15.5 vs 19.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] for difference: 2.7, 6.1) and lower total medical costs ($13,646.20 vs $22,180.70, 95% CI for difference: 4748.9, 12,320.1) 1–2 years post-index than late biologic initiators. Early biologic initiators had higher medication costs 1–2 years post-index ($33,766.30 vs $30,580.70, 95% CI: 546.1, 5825.1) but lower combined medical and medication costs ($47,412.50 vs $52,761.50, 95% CI: 801.5, 9896.40). Conclusions While biologic treatments are costly, patients initiating biologics sooner after diagnosis appear to have better HCRU outcomes and require fewer healthcare resources at 1–2 years post-index, potentially leading to overall cost savings.