Cost
Analysis of Antibiotic Treatment in Crohn’s Disease Patients Serologically
Positive for Mycobacterium avium ss. paratuberculosis
I.
Shafran, C. Piromalli and J. Davies
Previous studies have shown the benefits of Rifabutin and Macrolide
Antibiotic Therapy (RMAT) in the treatment of Crohn’s disease. The average
annual cost for Crohn’s disease patients has recently been estimated at
$12,417, with surgical patients having an average annual cost approaching
$37,135. Utilizing our database of serologically Mycobacterium avium ss.
paratuberculosis positive Crohn’s patients who were treated with
antibiotics, we have shown a 60% response rate to combined antibiotics after
three months of treatment. A decision analysis model was utilized to compare
current accepted therapy, both medical and surgical, with alternative therapy
utilizing antibiotics. Through the analysis of our data with the combined cost
of medical care and medications, the average cost per patient on RMAT for one
year was $6,806, achieving a 60% complete durable response. These findings show
a significant cost savings with RMAT as compared to the current annual cost of
care utilizing conventional therapy. Further cost analysis studies comparing
RMAT with other treatments will be helpful in defining the costs and benefits of
this therapy.
All content copyright ©1999 Dr. Ira Shafran, M.D.