The ripi study was prompted by the observation that the quality of health care for children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) shows regional differences, e. g. with regard to timely diagnosis. Therefore, the aim of the prospective cohort study "Ripi" was to evaluate the quality of care among children and adolescents aged 10–15 years affected by IBD and to identify possible causes for regional disparities. In the evaluation, possible factors influencing the quality of care are considered on several levels:

• Individual (child, parents): Socioeconomic factors, e. g., parental income and education, migration status, treatment adherence, insurance status, disease-specific factors
• Social disadvantage of region of residence (at county level)
• Medical providers: quality of medical care at the level of supervising family doctor or pediatrician and specialist.

This will examine whether there is a relationship between these factors and the age-appropriate growth of children/adolescents or their disease-related quality of life (outcome-based quality of care). In addition, various indicators of structural and process quality will be explored.

The study was conducted at BIPS in cooperation with the Helmholtz Zentrum München (Institute for Health Economics and Health Care Management) and DCCV e. V.

• Freckmann M, Seipp A, Laass MW, Koletzko S, Claßen M, Ballauff A, Peplies J, Timmer A. School related experience and performance with inflammatory bowel disease – Results from a cross sectional survey in 675 children and their parents. BMJ Open Gastroenterology 5 2018
• Timmer A, Stark R, Peplies J, Classen M, Laass MW, Koletzko S. Current health status and medical therapy of patients with pediatric onset inflammatory bowel disease. A survey based analysis on 1280 patients aged 10 to 25 focusing on differences by age of onset. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatology Nov;29(11):1276-1283 2017
• Timmer, Antje; Schütte, Beate; Peplies, Jenny (2015). Versorgungsgerechtigkeit bei Kindern mit CED. Zwischeninformationen zur Ripi-Studie. Bauchredner, 63-66.

• Freckmann M, Peplies J, Stark R, Koletzko S, Kaltz B, Maier W, Timmer A. The effect of chronic disease on school performance - a survey in children with inflammatory bowel disease. HEC, München; August 8-September 2, 2016
• Timmer A. Versorgung von Kindern mit (seltenen) chronischen Krankheiten. Veranstaltungsreihe: Public Health. Aktuelle Ergebnisse der Versorgungsforschung; Oldenburg; 08.04.2016
• Stark, Renee; Maier, Werner; Peplies, Jenny; Leidl, Rainer; Timmer, Antje (2015). Evaluation of medication costs of children with inflammatory bowel disease based on a cost diary. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft Gesundheitsökonomie DGGÖ. Bielefeld; March 16, 2015.
• Peplies, Jenny; Bruns, Helena; Albers, Hannah Maike; Stark, Renee; Maier, Werner; Timmer, Antje (2012). Regionale Ungleichheit in der Gesundheitsversorgung chronisch kranker Kinder - Der Einfluss sozialer Deprivation auf die Prognose chronisch entzündlicher Darmerkrankungen. Auftaktveranstaltung zum Förderschwerpunkt "Studien in der Versorgungsforschung" des Bundesministeriums für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF). Berlin; October 8, 2012.