The importance of the polymorphisms of the ABCB1 gene in disease susceptibility, behavior and response to treatment in inflammatory bowel disease: A literature review.

Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UD) are the 2 common clinical subtypes of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The multifactorial etiology and pathogenesis of IBD is still unknown; however, the interaction between genetic, environmental and immunological factors seems to be crucial. A member of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette family, P-glycoprotein, encoded by the human ABCB1 gene, is among the most extensively studied transporters involved in drug disposition and effects.

Stool patterns and symptoms of disordered anorectal function in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

Background: Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) typically clinically manifest with symptoms like chronic diarrhea, cramps, abdominal pain, and rectal bleeding. However, symptoms of abnormal anorectal function seem to be of equal importance, regardless of the presence or absence of perianal disease.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess stool patterns and the prevalence of symptoms of disordered anorectal function, particularly urgency and fecal incontinence, and their severity in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs).

Costs in inflammatory bowel diseases.

Variables influencing total direct medical costs in inflammatory bowel diseases include country, diagnosis (generally, patients with Crohn's disease generated higher costs compared with patients with ulcerative colitis), and year since diagnosis. In all studies the mean costs were higher than the median costs, which indicates that a relatively small group of the most severely ill patients significantly affect the total cost of treatment of these diseases. A major component of direct medical costs was attributed to hospitalisation, ranging from 49% to 80% of the total.

Economic implications of biological therapy for Crohn's disease.

In the early 90s American authors estimated that if a theoretical new drug was introduced that was capable of changing the natural course of the disease and reducing direct non-drug medical costs (including hospitalisation and surgery) by 20%, despite doubling the overall drugs bill, there would still be a reduction in total direct medical costs of Crohn's disease by 13%. Infliximab proved to be efficacious in reducing and maintaining remission in moderate to severe active Crohn's disease and/or fistulising Crohn's disease. A higher acquisition cost still remains its major limitation.

Non-medical costs of colonoscopy.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies in Europe and North America. Colonoscopy done every 10 years beginning at age 50 is the preferred method of screening. In Poland and some other countries examinations are offered to subjects free of charge.