Geographic and Temporal Patterns in Biologic Prescriptions for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in the Public Healthcare System in Brazil: An Ecological Study.

PURPOSE: To analyze the geographic and temporal patterns of biologic prescriptions for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Brazil's public national unified health system (SUS).

METHODS

This ecological study used data from patients with IBD in the SUS Outpatient Information System between 2008 and 2022. Prais-Winsten regression was used to estimate the trends in prescription rate of biologics. For geographic analysis, average prescription rate of biologics was calculated by state for three periods: 2008-2012, 2013-2017, and 2018-2022. Global Moran's index (GMI) and local indicators of spatial autocorrelation (LISA) were used to assess spatial autocorrelation and identify spatial clusters of biologic prescriptions, respectively.

RESULTS

The prescription rate of biologics increased from 3.0% to 16.7%. Infliximab was the most prescribed drug from 2008 to 2012 (3.0%-4.2%), and adalimumab was the most widely prescribed drug from 2013 to 2022 (4.3%-9.1%). Higher prescription rates of biologics were observed in patients with Crohn's disease than in those with ulcerative colitis (40.5% vs. 3.2%). Biologics were primarily prescribed in the Southeast and South; however, the central-western and northern regions showed greater changes in prescription rates over time. There were increased clusters of high biologic prescriptions across the three evaluated periods.

CONCLUSIONS

The increase in biologic prescriptions over time may be attributed to their enhanced efficacy in inducing and maintaining IBD remission. Biologic prescriptions in Brazil are experiencing temporal and geographical changes, indicating that disparities in drug prescriptions may decrease with universal, equitable healthcare access, despite administrative challenges in obtaining these medications through SUS.