Abstract Background Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) include psoriasis (Pso), psoriatic arthritis/spondyloarthritis (SpA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and uveitis. One in four patients with IBD presents with another IMID. 1 in 4 IBD patients has another IMID. These conditions entail a high healthcare burden and require a multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary approach Methods A retrospective descriptive study was conducted including patients attended in an interdisciplinary consultation (Gastroenterology, Rheumatology, and Pharmacy jointly, in the same time and place) with IBD and articular IMID from September 2021 to January 2025. Previously, clinics worked in a multidisciplinary manner, mainly through decision-making committees. The objectives were: • To assess global remission: intestinal remission (defined as H. Bradshaw index 4, Mayo score 2, and fecal calprotectin 200 mg/kg) and joint remission (BASDAI or ASDAS index and CRP 5 mg/L) prior to the start of the interdisciplinary consultation (IC) and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after inclusion. • To evaluate differences in the number of consultations, laboratory tests, emergency visits, and hospitalizations in the year before and after implementation of the IC. • To assess the number of consensual treatment changes and the active treatments at the end of follow-up. • To evaluate the savings derived from healthcare utilization and laboratory testing, as well as from pharmaceutical costs. Results Ninety patients were included. Demographic and clinical characteristics are shown in Table 1. The median follow-up in IC was 16 months (0.03–35). There were significant differences in global remission rates: 55.56% at baseline and 73.33% at the end of follow-up (p = 0.0195). Among those not in remission at baseline (42%), 66.67% achieved remission by the end of follow-up. There was a reduction in the median number of consultations by 50.17% (p 0.0001), in blood tests by 40% (p 0.0001), in emergency room visits by 73.08% (p = NS), and in hospitalizations by 50% (p = NS). An average of two treatment changes per patient were agreed upon. This approach identified annual savings of €197,223.01 in pharmaceutical expenses. The estimated average healthcare cost savings were €524.67 per patient per year, resulting in an estimated total of €47,220.30 saved per year in clinical care. Conclusion The interdisciplinary consultation (Gastroenterology, Rheumatology, and Pharmacy) enabled higher remission rates for both intestinal and joint symptoms, as well as a reduction in the number of consultations and blood tests. It is an effective strategy that improves health outcomes and reduces hospital resource utilization. References: 1. Puig L. Rev Esp Salud Publica. 2019 Mar 25;93:e201903013 2. Burish J. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2019 Conflict of interest: Sierra Ausín, Mónica: No conflict of interest Latras Cortés, Irene: I have no conflicts of interest to disclose Suarez Alvarez, Patricia: TAKEDA, JANSSEN ABBVIE, PFIZER, GEBRO PHARMA, LILLY, FERRING, TILLOTS, FALK PHARMA, VIFOR, KERN PHARMA, SALVAT, VIATRIS, ASACPHARMA Cano Sanz, Noelia: No conflict of interest González Fernández, Ismael: No conflict of interest Ordás Martínez, Jose: No conflict of interest Vélez Blanco, Andrea: No conflict of interest Varela Fernández, Rubén: No conflict of interest
Ausín et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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