A236 REAL LIFE HEALTH CARE UTILIZATION IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE IN THE ERA OF BIOLOGICS

Abstract Background The burden associated with the management of pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been rising over the past years as the incidence of IBD is increasing in children. In addition, the widespread use of biologics and a treat-to-target approach also contributes to the increase of healthcare utilization. Aims The purpose of this study was to assess the health care services utilization and the associated factors in a prospective cohort of children diagnosed with IBD in Quebec. Methods Patients diagnosed from 2013 to 2015 and followed up until the transfer to adult care were identified in our IBD database. Data on IBD related services and treatments: imaging procedures, hospitalizations and outpatient visits, medications from diagnosis to transition was extracted. We analyzed the healthcare utilization according to the baseline disease severity (pediatric Crohn’s disease activity index (PCDAI) or pediatric ulcerative colitis activity index (PUCAI)) at diagnosis, and according to exposition to intravenous biologics. Results A total of 144 patients were included in the study [(77 males), Crohn’s disease (98), Ulcerative Colitis (31) and IBD-unclassified (15); median (interquartile(IQR)) age at diagnosis 15.2(14.3–16.3)]. The median(IQR) duration of follow up at the IBD clinic was 2.9 (1.8–3.9) years. The median (min-max) number of imaging procedures varied largely: esophagogastroduodenoscopy 1(0–2), Colonoscopy 1(1–6), abdominal ultrasound 1(0–13), abdominal MRI 1(0–4), tomodensitometry 0(0–2), Bone densitometry 1(0–5). Patients had various follow-up encounters (median (min-max)): outpatient visits 9 (1–28), IBD nurses phone follow-up 4(0–33). A total of 64.6% of patients had at least one hospitalization [median(min-max) number 1(0–10); median duration 4(0–150 days)] and 35.41% had at least one emergency room visit. Baseline disease severity did not predict the disease burden: the mean number of encounters was 3.0 /year in the moderate/severe group as compared to 2.5/year in the mild group; P= 0.61. Among the, 63.5% of patients exposed to an intravenous biologic (Infliximab or Vedolizumab), those exposed earlier (