LAUSR

INTRODUCTION The frequency of biologic drug treatment for Polish patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD) has been partly assessed. OBJECTIVES We aim to analyze the use of biologic treatments among Polish patients suffering from IBDs. PATIENTS AND METHODS We used administrative data collected by the National Health Fund (NFZ), Poland's sole public payer. IBD cases were defined as cases with ≥2 records assigned code K50 or K51 and either ≥2 reimbursed prescriptions for IBD drugs or intestinal surgery preceding the record. We identified IBD patients receiving biologic treatments reimbursed by the NFZ in the years 2012-2020. We assessed the percentages of patients receiving biologic treatments in terms of disease type, gender, age group, and place of residence. RESULTS While 6.8% of Poland's CD patients received biologic treatment in 2012, that figure reached 7.9% by 2020. Biologic treatments were given to 0.4% of UC patients in 2014, compared to 1.6% in 2020. Among patients with both CD and UC, significantly fewer women received biologic therapy than men. The highest percentages of patients receiving biologic treatment for CD and UC were observed in the 10-19 age group, while adults over 70 had the lowest percentage. CONCLUSIONS We show a growing use of biologic agents in the treatment of IBD in Poland. Women receive biologic treatment for IBD significantly less frequently than men. The pediatric population features the highest proportion of patients receiving such treatment.