Predictors of financial toxicity and its associations with health-related quality of life and treatment non-adherence in Turkish cancer patients

Influence of Financial Toxicity on the Quality of Life in Lung Cancer Patients Undergoing Immunotherapy: The Mediating Effect of Self-Perceived Burden

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand the level of quality of life (QOL) of lung cancer patients receiving immunotherapy and to clarify the potential mediating role of self-perceived burden (SPB) in the relationship between financial toxicity (FT) and QOL.

Patients and Methods

A convenience sample of 342 lung cancer patients receiving immunotherapy was recruited from a cancer hospital from October 2022 to April 2023 for this cross-sectional study. The participants were requested to complete the following structured questionnaires: a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung (FACT-L), the Self-Perceived Burden Scale (SPBS) and the COmprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST). The data were subjected to Pearson correlation analysis and bootstrapping analysis in structural equation modelling.

Results

The total FACT-L score was 79.90±15.84 points in 322 lung cancer patients receiving immunotherapy. FT (β = 0.37, P < 0.01) and SPB (β = -0.27, P < 0.01) had a direct effect on QOL. In addition, SPB partly mediated the association between FT and QOL, and the standardized indirect effect was 0.19, accounting for 33.9% of the total effect.

Conclusion

The present study revealed that there is still much room for improvement in the QOL of lung cancer patients during immunotherapy. A greater financial burden resulted in a greater self-perceived burden and was thus associated with inferior QOL. It is imperative for oncology nurses to routinely assess QOL, FT or risk and SPB for lung cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy as well as to assist those patients in understanding the potential financial risk of each choice and help them take more active roles in their routine clinical care.

Measures of financial toxicity in cancer survivors: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Comprehensive cancer-related financial toxicity (FT) measures as a multidimensional construct are lacking. The aims of this systematic review were to (1) identify full measures designed explicitly for assessing FT and evaluate their psychometric properties (content validity, structural validity, reliability, and other measurement properties) using Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN), and (2) provide an analysis of the domains of FT covered in these measures.

METHODS

MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched for quantitative studies published from January 2000 to July 2023 that reported psychometric properties of FT measures in cancer survivors. The psychometric properties of FT measures and study risk of bias were analysed using COSMIN. Each FT measure was compared against the six domains of FT recommended by Witte and colleagues. Results were synthesized narratively. The detailed search strategies are available in Table S1.

RESULTS

Six FT tools including the COST-FACIT, PROFFIT, FIT, SFDQ, HARDS, and ENRICh-Spanish were identified. The COST-FACIT measure had good measurement properties. No measure reached an excellent level for overall quality but was mostly rated as sufficient. The SFDQ, HARDS, and ENRICh-Spanish were the most comprehensive in the inclusion of the six domains of FT.

CONCLUSION

This review emphasizes the need for validated multidimensional FT measures that can be applied across various cancer types, healthcare settings, and cultural backgrounds. Furthermore, a need to develop practical screening tools with high predictive ability for FT is highly important, considering the significant consequences of FT. Addressing these gaps in future research will further enhance the understanding of FT.

Financial toxicity and its influencing factors in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma: A cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

Financial toxicity has emerged as a prevalent psychosocial problem in cancer patients, but data on non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients receiving chemotherapy remain limited. The present study aims to explore financial toxicity and its influencing factors among non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients.

METHODS

A total of 236 non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients were enrolled from March to June 2023 in the oncology department of a tertiary grade-A hospital in China. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to analyze potential influences on financial, including general information, symptom burden, family and social support.

RESULTS

The financial toxicity score for non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients was (19.24 ± 6.97). Among them, 92 participants (38.98%) were classified as experiencing high levels of financial toxicity, with a COST score of ≤17.5 points. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that symptom burden accounting for 11.0% of the variance in financial toxicity, while family functioning and social support explained 5.8% and 4.9%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The financial toxicity of non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients needs to be further improved. Patients with low household income, unemployment, high symptom burden, and inadequate family and social support may experience severe financial toxicity. Financial toxicity of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients must be assessed and targeted interventions must be implemented to reduce their financial burden.

Economic Hardship and Associated Factors of Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer Prior to Chemotherapy Initiation

INTRODUCTION

Economic hardship (EH) can negatively influence cancer outcomes. Little is known about the factors that are associated with higher levels of EH among patients with breast cancer (BC). This paper describes EH in women with early-stage BC prior to or at their first chemotherapy treatment (baseline) and explores whether there are differences by race, area deprivation, stress, symptom distress, and social support.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A descriptive comparative/correlational design was employed using baseline data of a multisite, longitudinal, multimethod study comparing the symptom experience and management prior to prescribed chemotherapy for women with early-stage BC. Participants completed measures for EH, perceived stress, symptom distress, and social support. Race was measured by self-report. Area deprivation indices (ADI) measuring neighborhood economic factors were calculated from publicly available websites.

RESULTS

Participants (N = 248; age = 52.9 ± 12.3 years) were 62% White and 38% Black, 54% partnered, and 98% insured. Compared to White patients, Black patients reported higher (worse) EH (1.2 ± 3.0 vs. -0.7 ± 2.4), lived in areas of greater deprivation (80.1 ± 2.1 vs. 50.5 ± 23.5),and were more likely to report inadequate household income (Black: 30.5%; White: 11.1%). Adjusting for race and age, being Black (P< .001), living in an area of greater deprivation (P = .049), higher perceived stress (P = .008), lower perceived appraisal (P = .040), and less tangible support (P < .001) contributed to greater EH. Worse symptom distress trended toward greater EH (P = .07).

CONCLUSIONS

This study emphasizes the importance of incorporating baseline holistic assessment to identify patients most likely to experience EH during early-stage BC treatment.

Financial Toxicity Experiences of Patients With Cancer in Indonesia: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis

OBJECTIVES

Financial toxicity (FT) is an important adverse effect of cancer. Recent systematic reviews have shown that FT may lead to treatment nonadherence and impaired health-related quality of life, both of which may adversely influence the survival rates of patients. However, less is known about how patients endure FT, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The purpose of this study was to explore how patients with cancer experience and cope with FT in Indonesia.

METHODS

Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted to explore the experiences of Indonesian patients with cancer. Qualitative data were analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis approach. We purposefully recruited 8 patients undergoing active treatment (aged 27-69 years) who had been diagnosed of cancer over 5 years before and possessed health insurance at the time of diagnosis.

RESULTS

We identified 2 main themes: (1) the experienced financial burden, with subthemes underinsurance, out-of-pocket nonhealthcare cancer-related costs, and negative income effect from employment disruption, and (2) the financial coping strategies, with subthemes reallocating household budget, seeking family support, rationalizing treatment decisions, and topping up insurance for family members.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first interpretive phenomenological study on FT in the literature and the first qualitative FT study in Indonesia. Our findings provide insight into the occurrence of FT and coping strategies used by Indonesian patients with cancer. The subjective experiences of patients may be considered to further improve oncology care, support the need for measurement of FT, and provide mitigation programs for patients.

Financial Toxicity in Patients With Resected Lung Cancer

OBJECTIVES

To describe financial toxicity (FT) in patients with resected lung cancer and identify risk factors in this population.

BACKGROUND

FT describes the financial burden associated with cancer care and its impact on the quality of survivorship. Few prior studies have examined FT in patients with lung cancer.

METHODS

Patients who underwent lung cancer resection at our institution between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2021, were surveyed to gather demographic information and evaluate FT using a validated questionnaire. A multivariable model was built to identify risk factors for FT.

RESULTS

Of the total, 1477 patients were contacted, of whom 463 responded (31.3%). Most patients were stage I (n = 349, 75.4%) and lobectomy was performed often (n = 290, 62.8%). There were 196 patients (42.3%) who experienced FT. Upon multivariable analyses, divorced marital status [odds ratio (OR) = 3.658, 95% CI: 1.180-11.337], household income <$40,000 (OR = 2.544, 95% CI: 1.003-6.455), credit score below 739 (OR = 2.744, 95% CI: 1.326-5.679), clinical stage >I (OR = 2.053, 95% CI: 1.088-3.877), and change in work hours or work cessation (all P < 0.05) were associated with FT. Coping mechanisms, such as decreased spending on food or clothing and increased use of savings or borrowing money, were more likely to be reported by patients experiencing FT than those who did not ( P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing lung cancer resection often experienced significant financial stress with several identifiable risk factors. FT should be considered early in the care of these patients to alleviate detrimental coping mechanisms and enhance their quality of survivorship.

Heterogeneity of financial toxicity and associated risk factors for older cancer survivors in China

In China, older cancer survivors may show heterogeneity in financial toxicity (FT). We aimed to identify FT profiles among older Chinese cancer survivors and examine the association between FT profiles and individual characteristics. We used a latent profile analysis to categorize participants and a multinomial logistic regression to examine the associations. We identified three distinct FT profiles: high, moderate, and low. Participants aged 65-69 years, with a monthly household income ≥ 5,000 CNY and a high school education or above were more likely to be classified into the moderate than high FT profile, a monthly household income ≥ 5,000 CNY increased the likelihood of being in the low FT profile and living alone negatively affected the odds of being in the low FT profile. The findings identified heterogeneity in FT among this population, may help identify high-risk groups, and may enable early intervention.

Financial well-being as a mediator of the relationship between multimorbidity and health-related quality of life in people with cancer

BACKGROUND

It is unknown whether financial well-being mediates the impact of multimorbidity on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of cancer patients.

METHODS

Participants were recruited from three outpatient oncology clinics of Hong Kong public hospitals. Multimorbidity was assessed using the Charlson Comorbidity Index. Financial well-being, the mediator of the association between multimorbidity and HRQoL outcomes, was assessed using the Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy. The HRQoL outcomes were assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (FACT-G) and its four sub-dimensions. Mediation analyses were conducted using SPSS PROCESS v4.1.

RESULTS

Six-hundred and forty cancer patients participated in the study. Multimorbidity had a direct effect on FACT-G scores independent of financial well-being (β for path c' = -0.752, p < 0.001). In addition, multimorbidity had an indirect effect on FACT-G scores through its effect on financial well-being (β for path a = -0.517, p < 0.05; β for path b = 0.785, p < 0.001). Even after adjustments were made for the covariates, the indirect effect of multimorbidity on FACT-G via financial well-being remained significant, accounting for 38.0% of the overall effect, indicating partial mediation. Although there were no statistically significant associations between multimorbidity, social well-being, and emotional well-being, the indirect effects of multimorbidity on physical and functional well-being through financial well-being remained significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Poor financial well-being attributable to multimorbidity partially mediates the direct impact of chronic conditions on HRQoL in Chinese cancer patients, particularly their physical and functional well-being.

The unknown impact of multiple myeloma: assessing the impact of financial well-being on quality of life of caregivers

PURPOSE

Patients with multiple myeloma and their caregivers are financially burdened, and their quality of life is significantly affected by treatment costs and care expenses. The aim of our study is to examine the impact of financial well-being of the caregiver on the life quality of patients with multiple myeloma.

METHODS

The study included 113 patients with multiple myeloma and 113 caregivers in two hospitals located in Western Turkey. This study evaluated the demographic characteristics of patients and their caregivers, financial status, financial well-being, and quality of life of caregivers. Simple linear regression analyses were used to examine the impact of financial well-being on caregiver quality of life.

RESULTS

The average age of multiple myeloma patients and caregivers is 64.00 ± 11.05 and 48.02 ± 11.4, respectively. Of patients, 50.4% and 62.8% of their caregivers were female. It is determined that 51.3% of the patients were diagnosed in 1-5 years, 85% received chemotherapy, and 80.5% had an ECOG performance status between 0 and 1. Caregivers' quality of life and financial well-being were found to be low. On one hand, while caregivers' financial well-being (β = - 1.003; t = - 3.831; p = .000) negatively affected the quality of their lives, their financial satisfaction (β = 2.507; t = 3.820; p = .000) positively affected the quality of their lives, on the other hand.

CONCLUSIONS

Caregivers' quality of life declined as their financial well-being got worse. Decreased quality of life of caregivers may affect the quality of care they provide to patients with MM. Hence, this study recommends the following. First, nurses who care for patients with MM should always assess the financial situation of patients and caregivers. Second, patient navigators, hospital billing specialists, and social workers should provide financial guidance to multiple myeloma patients and caregivers and provide help in solving their financial problems. Finally, policies that support the financial situation of patients and caregivers should be developed.

Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Cancer and Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

Financial toxicity is recognized as an important adverse effect of cancer treatment that may decrease patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We aim to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on studies investigating the association of HRQOL and financial toxicity measured with the Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity in patients with cancer and survivors.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was completed in PubMed, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and PsycInfo (last update April 2022). Methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Appraisal Tool for Cross-Sectional Studies and the Critical Appraisal Skills Program Cohort Study Checklist. Where possible, study outcomes were pooled by random-effects meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Thirty-one studies were included with a combined sample of 13 481 patients and survivors with more than 25 cancer types from 9 countries. Nineteen different validated HRQOL instruments were used in these studies, with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (n = 9), the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (n = 5), and EQ-5D (n = 5) being the most common. All but one included studies reported that higher financial toxicity was significantly associated with worse HRQOL. Ten HRQOL domains were correlated with financial toxicity, including physical health (r = 0.34-0.66), social health (r = 0.16-0.55), mental health (r = 0.21-0.54), and daily functioning (r = 0.23-0.52). The meta-analysis indicated a moderate correlation between financial toxicity and overall HRQOL as measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy instruments (r = 0.49, 95% confidence interval 0.44-0.54).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the literature on the association of financial toxicity and HRQOL in patients with cancer and survivors. Our findings substantiate financial toxicity as a relevant outcome of cancer care that is associated with a decline of HRQOL.

Financial toxicity in patients with lung cancer: a scoping review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Lung cancer has the second-ranked morbidity rate and the first-ranked mortality rate worldwide. With the progression of the cancer condition and the advancement of new treatments, the corresponding medical expenses have risen sharply. Nowadays, financial toxicity has become one of the most common concerns in patients with cancer. However, by far, the full landscape of studies on financial toxicity is unclear in patients with lung cancer. Thus, this scoping review aims to summarise the degree, affecting factors, outcomes and intervention strategies of financial toxicity in patients with lung cancer.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This scoping review will be developed following the methodology described in the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis on scoping review protocol, which was based on Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework, Levac et al's recommendations for applying this framework and Peters et al's enhancements of the framework. From the day of database building to 31 December 2021, 10 English databases will be searched in the 'Abstract' field with three key search terms: "Lung", "Cancer" and "Financial toxicity". The studies' screening and data extraction will be independently performed by two reviewers (MZ and RZ). Any disagreements between the two reviewers (MZ and RZ) will be resolved by consensus, and a third reviewer (BW) will be invited if necessary. The results will be analysed and presented using tables and figures. This scoping review will be reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

An ethical approval is not required for this scoping review protocol, nor for the scoping review. The results of this scoping review will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal or presentation at conferences.

REGISTRATION

This scoping review protocol has been registered in the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/ub45n/?view_only=bb93eb94e1434a0f8196b3b61cffcec2).