Burden and Cost of Gastrointestinal, Liver, and Pancreatic Diseases in the United States: Update 2024

Abstract

Background & Aims

A contemporary report describing the burden and expenditures of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases can be helpful for policy makers, administrators, and researchers. Using the most recent data, we estimated the burden and costs associated with GI diseases in the United States.

Methods

We generated estimates using data from the Rome Foundation Global Epidemiology Study 2017–2018 (symptoms), National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey 2019 and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey 2019 (ambulatory visits), Nationwide Emergency Department Sample 2021 (emergency department visits), National Inpatient Sample 2021 (admissions), Kids’ Inpatient Database 2019 (admissions), National Program of Cancer Registries 2001–2021 (cancer incidence), National Center for Health Statistics 2001–2021 (cancer mortality), Centers for Disease Control Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research 2021 (non-cancer mortality), MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters data 2002–2021 (endoscopy), MarketScan Medicare Supplemental data 2002–2021 (endoscopy), United Network for Organ Sharing Registry 2023 (transplant), Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2021 (expenditures), and National Institutes of Health (NIH) 2012–2025 (research).

Results

In 2021, GI health care expenditures totaled $111.8 billion. A GI diagnosis or symptom led to 14.5 million emergency department visits and 2.9 million hospital admissions. There were 315,065 new GI cancers diagnosed. GI diseases caused 281,413 deaths. In 2022, an estimated 23.5 million GI endoscopies were performed. In 2023, the NIH supported $3.6 billion for GI research, which represents 7.4% of the NIH budget.

Conclusion

GI diseases are responsible for a considerable and growing burden of health care use and costs. Funding innovative GI science and supporting the practice of GI medicine are critical to meeting the burden of GI illness.