OBJECTIVES: The aim of current study was to assess the disease burden (proportion of patients with disease year-over-year, comorbidities), treatment pattern (conventional/advanced), healthcare resource utilization in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), as captured in an insurance e-claims data source in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted from 01 January 2014 to 30 September 2023, using Dubai Real-World Database (DRWD), a private insurance claims database. Patients with a first diagnosis claim (primary/secondary/hospital admission) claim for UC, any time during the index period (01 January 2014 to 30 September 2022) and treated with relevant medications as per European Crohn’s and Colitis Organization (ECCO) guidelines, were analyzed, by overall and treatment cohorts.

RESULTS: The study included 11,812 patients with mean age of 38.8 years. Cumulative proportion of UC cases ranged from 0.07% to 0.10% of total patient population in e-claims database (2014–2022). Among patients with UC with comorbidities (n=5,441), the most prevalent comorbidities were bronchitis (35%), arthritis (31%), diabetes mellitus (30%), cardiovascular disease (29%), asthma (28%) and psychological disorders (13%). Most patients (92.9%, n=10,973) were prescribed conventional treatment (immunosuppressants, corticosteroids,5-aminosalicylic acid), 39.6% received novel rectal immunosuppressant formulations. Of 7.1%(n=839) patients on advanced treatment (biologics, Janus kinase inhibitors, sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator), 6.9% received biologics, majorly prescribed by gastroenterologists. In the overall cohort, median all-cause cost and disease-specific cost incurred were USD 2,703.4 and USD 1,314.7, respectively. The median disease-specific cost incurred for immune-mediated disorders, psychological disorders, other comorbidities were USD 407.1, USD 333.1, and USD 461.4, respectively, during 12-month post-index period.

CONCLUSIONS: In the study population, disease burden was substantial with prevalent comorbidities and associated costs. Further studies are needed to evaluate how biologics and newer therapies may play a role in achieving preferable outcomes and reducing disease burden of UC in the UAE.