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Chronic Disease
Epidemiology

Methodology

Several data sources have been utilized to address the prevalence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in Florida:

1. HEALTH CARE UTILIZATION DATA
   (1) BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
   Data are being collected from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida for their members. These data provide number of patients diagnosed with IBD by subtype of disease, age,
   sex, and residential county. For more information about Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, please visit: http://www.bcbsfl.com.
   
   MEDICAID
   (2) Medicaid data are analyzed for IBD patients among Medicaid recipients. The data include patients who are diagnosed as either in- or out-patients. Medicaid data
   provide prevalence rates among Medicaid recipients by age, sex, and residential county. Medicaid is a program that pays for medical assistance for certain individuals and
   families with low incomes and resources. Medicaid is the largest source of funding for medical and health-related services for people with limited income. For more
   information about Medicaid, please visit: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/whatismedicaid.asp.
   
   HOSPITAL DISCHARGE DATA AND AMBULATORY CARE DATA
   (3) The Agency of Health Care Administration analyzed hospital discharge data and ambulatory care data for patients diagnosed with IBD by race, sex, age, type of medical insurance, and residential county. For more information about hospital discharge data and ambulatory care data, please visit: http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/index.shtml
    

2. SURVEYS
   (1) BEHAVIORAL RISK FACTOR SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM (BRFSS)
   Three questions have been added to the Florida Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey to address IBD in the general population. An expected 1,600 households are to be interviewed from September 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005. For more information about the Florida BRFSS, please visit: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/disease_ctrl/epi/brfss/index.htm.
   IBD Questions asked in BRFSS
   
   PHYSICIAN SURVEY
   (2) A short survey was administered to all active gastrointestinal (GI) physicians in Florida. The aim of this data source is to provide an overview of the demographics, hospitalizations, and role of family history within the IBD population.
   GI physician survey questions
   Pediatrician survey questions
   
   PATIENT SURVEY
   (3) A short survey of patients will be conducted and supported by IBD support groups. This survey will collect information potentially associated with the disease and the patient's quality of life.