Completed 

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), often further classified as either Crohn's Disease (CD) or Ulcerative Colitis (UC), is a chronic, incurable condition in which lining of the bowels are affected by inflammation. Canada has one of the highest rates of pediatric- and adult-onset IBD. Variations in health care delivery are evident throughout all of medical practice and are often an indicator for variation in the quality of care provided. Our goal is to assess variation in care and outcomes in Canadian children with IBD. In this study we will (1) determine the rate of pediatric IBD between 1999-2010; (2) assess WHO is providing care; (3) assess WHAT kind of care is being provided; (4) describe HOW care is being provided; and (5) assess whether there is variation on WHEN care is being provided. By addressing these questions, we will be able to gather an overall picture of the degree of variation, burden, and quality of care in which Canadian children with IBD endure. Using these results, we will act to improve care both at the patient level and policy level. This will be the first Canadian study and the largest study internationally to assess burden and variation in care of children with IBD. The results of this study will used simultaneously to inform our CIDsCaNN collaborators' objective to lead quality improvement efforts for Canadian children with IBD.