P0952 Effect of a Care Pathway for Inflammatory Bowel Disease on Patient Outcomes and Healthcare Utilization: results of the IBD Value Study
Authors: Visser E , van Linschoten R , Bodelier A , Fitzpatrick C , de Jonge V , Vermeulen H , Verweij E , van der Wiel S , van der Horst D , van der Woude C J , van Noord D , West R L ,   Southwest Netherlands IBD Study Group
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Eight hospitals in the southwest of the Netherlands collaborate to improve care for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This collaboration aims to deliver high quality and uniform care across the region. To achieve this, a care pathway (CP) was developed and implemented for the management of IBD with biologicals or small new molecules. The CP is a decision-support tool that provides guidelines for medication prescribing, procedures, treatment adjustments, and recommendations for follow-up. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a CP on patient outcomes and healthcare utilization.

Methods
We designed a longitudinal multicentre non-randomised cohort study with a baseline observation period (December 2020 – December 2021) and a follow-up period (March 2022 – March 2023), in which adult patients with IBD treated with biologics or small new molecules were included (1). Outcomes were collected according to the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) standard set from electronic medical records or through validated questionnaires. Effect of the CP on these outcomes were analysed with case-mix adjusted (generalized) linear mixed models.

Results
A total of 1,173 patients participated in the study, with the majority being female (55%) and a median age of 45 years (IQR 33-58). Most patients had Crohn’s disease (64%). The CP was associated with a 14% increase in the probability of patient-reported disease control (p=0.54). Increases in probability were also observed for patient-reported (β=0.25, p=0.29) and biochemical remission (β=0.17, p=0.37), and the presence of active fistulas (β=0.28, p=0.44). Decreases in probability were found for biological (β=-0.04, p=0.84) and clinician-reported remission (β=-0.16, p=0.48). Emergency room visits (β=-0.32, p=0.18), hospital admissions (β=-0.28, p=0.28), and length of stay (β=-0.23, p=0.20) showed reduction, although these associations were also not significant. The CP had no effect on quality of life (β=0.01, p=0.35) or on anaemia probability (β=0.05, p=0.84).

Conclusion
A CP for the management of IBD with biologicals and small new molecule has clinically significant potential to reduce healthcare utilization, while improving patient-reported disease control, and biochemical remission. These results emphasize the potential of a CP to improve care for a complex disease as IBD. However, the adherence to the CP and whether these results lead to a reduction in healthcare costs, should be further investigated.

References
1. van Linschoten RCA, van Leeuwen N, Nieboer D, et al. Value-based care pathway for inflammatory bowel disease: a protocol for the multicentre longitudinal non-randomised parallel cluster IBD Value study with baseline period. BMJ Open. 2022;12(1):e050539. Published 2022 Jan 12. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050539