Gastrointestinal diseases: projected burden of care on acute public hospitals

The burden of care on acute public hospitals pertaining to diseases of the digestive system and procedures on the digestive system in Ireland was estimated using hospital discharge data for 2006 and population projections for 2021 and 2031. Age-specific rates derived from 2006 acute hospital discharge data and census figures for the same year were applied to population projections for 2021 and 2031 to estimates the case numbers. In 2031, the number of discharges for Diseases of the digestive system is estimated to increase by 69978 (60%) while the number of procedures is estimated to increase by 86228 (65%). For people aged 65+ years, episodes of discharges for diseases of the digestive system are estimated to increase by 38535 (128%) in 2031 while the number of procedures is estimated to increase by 47324 (125%). These will significantly increase the burden of care on acute hospitals and the cost of providing care.