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Zhao W, Xu Q, Zhou X, Liu C, Ding L. Exploring the economic toxicity experiences and coping styles of patients with colorectal cancer fistula in Jiangsu province, China: a qualitative study. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e082308. [PMID: 38904140 PMCID: PMC11191830 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In recent years, economic toxicity has significantly affected the physical and mental health as well as the quality of life of patients with colorectal cancer. However, this issue has not garnered adequate attention from healthcare professionals. This study aims to investigate the experiences of economic toxicity and coping strategies among patients with colorectal cancer fistula. The findings are intended to inform the development of suitable and effective intervention programmes to address economic toxicity within this patient population. DESIGN A descriptive phenomenological approach was employed in this qualitative research, using a semistructured method for data collection and analysis of interview data. Traditional content analysis methods were applied, encompassing coding, categorisation and theme distillation. Data analysis continued until thematic saturation was achieved, with no new themes emerging. SETTING Nanjing Medical University Lianyungang Clinical Medical College. PARTICIPANTS A total of 21 patients with colorectal cancer fistula were selected as interview subjects through purposive sampling. The selection took place from May 2022 to May 2023, involving patients during their stay at a tertiary hospital in Lianyungang city, Jiangsu province, China. RESULTS In total, three pieces and eight subthemes were distilled: subjective feelings (worries about treatment costs, concerns about uncertainty about the future, worries about daily life), coping styles (coping alone, unwillingness to help, prepurchased insurance, dealing with illness, giving up treatment, inability to afford costs) and needs and aspirations (need for health policies, need for social support). CONCLUSIONS Patients with colorectal cancer fistulae experience economic toxicity, leading to significant impairment in both physical and mental health. Despite employing various coping strategies, healthcare professionals must prioritise addressing the economic toxicity issue in patients. Implementing rational and effective interventions can greatly assist patients in effectively managing economic toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijing Zhao
- Lianyungang Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University /The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qin Xu
- School of Nursing, Nanjing Medical University, 101Longmian Avenue,Jiangning District,Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xia Zhou
- School of Nursing, Nanjing Medical University, 101Longmian Avenue,Jiangning District,Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Chunmei Liu
- School of Nursing, Nanjing Medical University, 101Longmian Avenue,Jiangning District,Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Lingyu Ding
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital With Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210000, China
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Kobritz M, Nofi CP, Egunsola A, Zimmern AS. Financial toxicity in early-onset colorectal cancer: A National Health Interview Survey study. Surgery 2024; 175:1278-1284. [PMID: 38378347 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2024.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Financial toxicity is increasingly recognized as a devastating outcome of cancer treatment but is poorly characterized in patients with early-onset colorectal cancer. Young patients are particularly vulnerable to financial toxicity as they are frequently underinsured and may suffer significant disruptions to professional and financial growth. We hypothesized that financial toxicity associated with colorectal cancer treatment confers long-lasting effects on patients' well-being and disproportionately impacts patients diagnosed at <50 years of age. METHODS A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the National Health Interview Survey from years 2019 to 2021 was performed. Patients with a history of colorectal cancer were included and stratified by age at diagnosis. Randomly selected age-matched controls with no cancer history were used for comparison. The primary endpoint was financial toxicity, as assessed by a composite score formulated from 12 National Health Interview Survey items. The secondary endpoint was food security assessed by the United States Department of Agriculture's food security scale, embedded in the National Health Interview Survey. RESULTS When compared to age-matched controls, patients with colorectal cancer experienced significant financial toxicity, as reflected by a composite financial toxicity score (P = .027). Within patients with colorectal cancer, female sex (adjusted odds ratio = 1.46, P = .046) and early-onset disease (adjusted odds ratio = 2.11, P = .002) were found to significantly increase the risk of financial toxicity. Patients with early-onset colorectal cancer more frequently experienced food insecurity (P = .011), delayed necessary medical care (P = .053), mental health counseling (P = .043), and filling prescriptions (P = .007) due to cost when compared to patients with average-onset colorectal cancer. CONCLUSION Colorectal cancer is associated with significant long-term financial toxicity, which disproportionately impacts patients diagnosed at <50 years of age. Targeted interventions are warranted to reduce financial toxicity for patients with high-risk colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Kobritz
- Department of Surgery, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY; Department of Surgery, Northwell-North Shore/Long Island Jewish, Manhasset, NY.
| | - Colleen P Nofi
- Department of Surgery, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY; Department of Surgery, Northwell-North Shore/Long Island Jewish, Manhasset, NY
| | - Adekemi Egunsola
- Department of Surgery, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY; Department of Surgery, Northwell-North Shore/Long Island Jewish, Manhasset, NY
| | - Andrea S Zimmern
- Department of Surgery, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY; Department of Surgery, Northwell-North Shore/Long Island Jewish, Manhasset, NY
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Randhawa SE, Tenner L. Survivorship in Early-Stage Rectal Cancer Patients Who Have Received Combined Modality Therapy. Clin Colorectal Cancer 2023; 22:375-382. [PMID: 37586927 DOI: 10.1016/j.clcc.2023.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Survival rates in early-stage rectal cancer patients have increased over the past few decades. Societies such as the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), American Cancer Society (ACS), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) have proposed guidelines related to cancer survivorship care including formal recommendations to address the needs in early-stage rectal cancer survivors. These guidelines, in addition to new clinical research findings in survivorship will be reviewed, specifically looking at physical, psychosocial, and financial concerns in rectal cancer survivorship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saboor E Randhawa
- Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellow, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Laura Tenner
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE.
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Jiang H, Lyu J, Mou W, Jiang L, Zeng Y, Liu Y, Hu A, Jiang Q. Prevalence and risk factors of self-reported financial toxicity in cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta-analyses. J Psychosoc Oncol 2022:1-18. [DOI: 10.1080/07347332.2022.2142877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hua Jiang
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianxia Lyu
- Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenxuan Mou
- School of Nursing, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Luxi Jiang
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu Zeng
- School of Nursing, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Liu
- School of Nursing, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Aiping Hu
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Qinghua Jiang
- Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
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Donkor A, Atuwo-Ampoh VD, Yakanu F, Torgbenu E, Ameyaw EK, Kitson-Mills D, Vanderpuye V, Kyei KA, Anim-Sampong S, Khader O, Khader J. Financial toxicity of cancer care in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Support Care Cancer 2022; 30:7159-7190. [PMID: 35467118 PMCID: PMC9385791 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-07044-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The costs associated with cancer diagnosis, treatment and care present enormous financial toxicity. However, evidence of financial toxicity associated with cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is scarce. AIM To determine the prevalence, determinants and how financial toxicity has been measured among cancer patients in LMICs. METHODS Four electronic databases were searched to identify studies of any design that reported financial toxicity among cancer patients in LMICs. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to derive the pooled prevalence of financial toxicity. Sub-group analyses were performed according to costs and determinants of financial toxicity. RESULTS A total of 31 studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of objective financial toxicity was 56.96% (95% CI, 30.51, 106.32). In sub-group meta-analyses, the objective financial toxicity was higher among cancer patients with household size of more than four (1.17% [95% CI, 1.03, 1.32]; p = 0.02; I2 = 0%), multiple cycles of chemotherapy (1.94% [95% CI, 1.00, 3.75]; p = 0.05; I2 = 43%) and private health facilities (2.87% [95% CI, 1.89, 4.35]; p < 0.00001; I2 = 26%). Included studies hardly focused primarily on subjective measures of financial toxicity, such as material, behavioural and psychosocial. One study reported that 35.4% (n = 152 of 429) of cancer patients experienced high subjective financial toxicity. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that cancer diagnosis, treatment and care impose high financial toxicity on cancer patients in LMICs. Further rigorous research on cancer-related financial toxicity is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Donkor
- Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care Through Clinical Research and Translation (IMPACCT), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
- Department of Medical Diagnostics, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Vivian Della Atuwo-Ampoh
- Department of Medical Imaging, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Frederick Yakanu
- National Centre for Radiotherapy, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
| | - Eric Torgbenu
- Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care Through Clinical Research and Translation (IMPACCT), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Edward Kwabena Ameyaw
- The Australian Centre for Public and Population Health Research (ACPPHR), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Verna Vanderpuye
- National Centre for Radiotherapy, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kofi Adesi Kyei
- Department of Radiography, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Omar Khader
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Jamal Khader
- Radiation Oncology Department, King Hussein Cancer Centre, Amman, Jordan
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Emotional Distress and Financial Toxicity in Younger Adult Patients Undergoing Oncologic Surgery. Ann Surg 2022; 276:694-700. [PMID: 35838403 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000005593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There has been an alarming increase in the number of young adults diagnosed with cancer. The emotional, psychosocial, and financial distress experienced by newly diagnosed young adults undergoing cancer surgery remains largely unknown. METHODS A validated biopsychosocial distress screening tool (SupportScreen®) was administered to patients diagnosed with cancer prior to surgery between 2009 and 2017 in a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center. Patients were stratified into younger adults ≤45 years (YA) and older adults >45 years (OA). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyze distress outcomes. RESULTS In total, 4,297 patients were identified, with YA comprising 13.3% (n=573) of the cohort. YA reported higher emotional distress, including increased anxiety (33.8% vs. 27.4%, P=0.002), greater fear of procedures (26.7% vs. 22%, P=0.018), and difficulty managing emotions (26% vs. 20.7%, P=0.006). YA struggled more frequently to manage work/school (29.5% vs. 19.3%, P<0.001), finding resources (17.8% vs. 11.8%, P<0.001), changes in physical appearance (22.2% vs. 13.4%, P<0.001), fatigue (36% vs. 27.3%, P<0.001), and ability to have children (18.4% vs. 3%, P<0.001). Financial toxicity was significantly higher in the YA group (40.5% vs. 28%, P<0.001). While income level was strongly protective against emotional distress and financial toxicity in OAs, it was less protective against the risk of financial toxicity in YA. Younger age was an independent predictor of financial toxicity in a model adjusted to income (OR-1.52, P=0.020). CONCLUSION Younger adults in the prime of their personal and professional years of productivity require special attention when undergoing surgical evaluation for cancer. Resource allocation and counseling interventions should be integrated as part of their routine care to expedite their return to optimal physical and holistic health and mitigate psychosocial distress and financial toxicity.
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Paro A, Hyer JM, Shaikh CF, Pawlik TM. Financial Impact of Out-of-Pocket Costs Among Patients Undergoing Resection for Colorectal Carcinoma. Ann Surg Oncol 2022; 29:5387-5397. [PMID: 35430665 PMCID: PMC9013274 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-022-11755-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Little is known about the societal burden of cancer surgical care in terms of out-of-pocket (OOP) costs. The current study sought to define OOP costs incurred by patients undergoing colorectal cancer resection. Methods Privately insured patients undergoing colorectal cancer resection between 2013 and 2017 were identified from the IBM MarketScan database. Total and OOP costs were calculated within 1 year prior to and 1 year post surgery. A multivariable linear regression model was used to estimate total OOP costs relative to patient demographic and clinical characteristics. Results Among 10,935 patients, 7289 (66.7%) had primary colon cancer while 3643 (33.3%) had rectal cancer. Median total costs were US$93,967 (IQR US$51027–168,251). Median OOP costs were US$4417 (IQR US$2519–6943), or 4.5% (IQR 2.2–8.1%) of total costs. OOP costs varied over the course of patient care; specifically, median OOP costs in the preoperative period were US$432 (IQR US$130–1452) versus US$2146 (IQR US$851–3525) in the perioperative period and US$969 (IQR US$327–2239) in the postoperative period. On multivariable analysis, receipt of chemotherapy (+US$1368, 95%CI +US$1211 to +US$1525) or radiotherapy (+US$842, 95% CI +US$626 to +US$1059) was associated with higher total OOP costs. Patients with a health maintenance organization (HMO) (−US$2119, 95% CI −US$2550 to −US$1689) or a point-of-service plan (−US$938, 95% CI −US$1385 to −US$491) had lower total OOP costs than patients with comprehensive insurance. In contrast, patients with a consumer-driven or a high-deductible health plan had considerably higher total OOP costs than patients with comprehensive insurance (+US$1400, 95% CI +US$972 to +US$1827 and +US$3243, 95% CI +US$2767 to +US$3717, respectively). Conclusions Privately insured colorectal cancer patients undergoing surgical resection pay a median of US$4417 in OOP costs, or 4.5% of total costs. OOP costs varied with receipt of chemotherapy or radiotherapy, region of residence, and insurance plan type. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1245/s10434-022-11755-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Paro
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - J Madison Hyer
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Chanza F Shaikh
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Timothy M Pawlik
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA.
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Critical Competences for the Management of Post-Operative Course in Patients with Digestive Tract Cancer: The Contribution of MADIT Methodology for a Nine-Month Longitudinal Study. Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 12:bs12040101. [PMID: 35447673 PMCID: PMC9029589 DOI: 10.3390/bs12040101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a high postoperative morbidity rate after cancer surgery, that impairs patients’ self-management, job condition and economic strength. This paper describes the results of a peculiar psychological intervention on patients undergoing surgery for esophageal, gastric and colorectal cancer. The intervention aimed to enhance patients’ competences in the management of postoperative daily life. A narrative approach (M.A.D.I.T.—Methodology for the Analysis of Computerised Text Data) was used to create a questionnaire, Health and Employment after Gastro-Intestinal Surgery—Dialogical Questionnaire, HEAGIS-DQ, that assesses four competences. It was administered to 48 participants. Results were used as guidance for specific intervention, structured on patients’ competence profiles. The intervention lasted nine months after surgery and was structured in weekly to monthly therapeutic sessions. Quality of Life questionnaires were administered too. At the end of the intervention, 94% of patients maintained their job and only 10% of patients asked for financial support. The mean self-perception of health-related quality of life was 71.2. The distribution of three of four competences increased after nine months (p < 0.05). Despite economic difficulties due to lasting symptoms after surgery, and to the current pandemic scenario, a structured intervention with patients let them to resume their jobs and continue activities after surgery.
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Prasad RN, Patel TT, Keith SW, Eldredge-Hindy H, Fisher SA, Palmer JD. Development of a Financial Toxicity Screening Tool for Radiation Oncology: A Secondary Analysis of a Pilot Prospective Patient-Reported Outcomes Study. Adv Radiat Oncol 2021; 6:100782. [PMID: 34660939 PMCID: PMC8503853 DOI: 10.1016/j.adro.2021.100782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Financial toxicity is highly prevalent in oncology. Early identification of at-risk patients is essential because financial toxicity is associated with inferior outcomes. Validated general oncology screening tools are cumbersome and not specific to challenges related to radiation therapy, such as daily treatments. In the population of radiation oncology patients, no standardized, validated, rapid screening tool exists. We sought to develop a rapid, no-cost, and reliable financial-toxicity screening tool for clinical radiation oncology. Methods and Materials We retrospectively analyzed data from a prospective survey study conducted at a large referral center with a heterogeneous population. Before treatment, a 25-item modified comprehensive survey for financial toxicity incorporating subjective and objective patient-reported measures was administered to identify factors linked to the risk of developing financial toxicity, which was defined as radiation therapy resulting in any of the following: loss of income, job, or spouse or difficulty paying for meals, housing, or transportation. We applied a logistic regression model with a stepwise, backward model selection procedure. Estimated probabilities of experiencing financial toxicity were computed using the inverse-logit transformation of the sum of patient-specific predictor values multiplied by the coefficients of the selected logistic regression model. The Youden index was used to determine a reasonable risk threshold. Results A total of 157 patients completed the questionnaire, and 34 (22%) were assessed as experiencing financial toxicity. The model retained 3 factors: age, money owed, and copayment-related worries. It resulted in a concordance statistic of 0.85, developed with a risk threshold of 18% (Youden index, 0.59). This model conferred a sensitivity of 89%, specificity of 70%, positive predictive value of 44%, and negative predictive value of 96%. Conclusions Our proposed financial-toxicity screen is rapid, free, sensitive, and specific, and in this study, it identified early-onset, patient-reported financial toxicity after radiation therapy with just 3 simple variables: age, money owed, and copayment-related concerns. Future research steps should include a validation cohort and identification of interventions to mitigate financial toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul N Prasad
- The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Tejash T Patel
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine/Master of Business Administration Program, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Scott W Keith
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Biostatistics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Harriet Eldredge-Hindy
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Scot A Fisher
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Joshua D Palmer
- The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
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Longo CJ, Fitch MI. Unequal distribution of financial toxicity among people with cancer and its impact on access to care: a rapid review. Curr Opin Support Palliat Care 2021; 15:157-161. [PMID: 34232132 DOI: 10.1097/spc.0000000000000561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Research demonstrates that patients and their families often carry a good portion of the economic burden during and following cancer treatment, frequently resulting in implications for access to care. This rapid review summarizes how this knowledge has evolved in recent years. RECENT FINDINGS The number of articles on patient financial burden is increasing, suggesting awareness about the growing impact of economic burden on patients. This is particularly evident when discussing out-of-pocket costs, and lost work for patients/caregivers. However, there is an increasing focus on 'foregone care' and 'financial distress'. Additionally, emerging literature is examining policies and approaches to screen and/or mitigate these patient financial risks, thereby improving access to care. There is also increasing focus on populations that shoulder a disproportionate financial burden, including ethnic minorities (blacks, Asians, Latinos) as well as those with lower socioeconomic status. Additionally, there is evidence that this burden also affects the middle class. SUMMARY As healthcare budgets become stretched, especially during a pandemic, supportive programs benefiting the less fortunate often shrink, which impacts access to care. The emerging research on strategies with government or institutions to mitigate these burdens and access issues are both welcome and needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Longo
- Health Policy and Management, DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University, Hamilton
| | - Margaret I Fitch
- Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Acquah I, Valero-Elizondo J, Javed Z, Ibrahim HN, Patel KV, Ryoo Ali HJ, Menser T, Khera R, Cainzos-Achirica M, Nasir K. Financial Hardship Among Nonelderly Adults With CKD in the United States. Am J Kidney Dis 2021; 78:658-668. [PMID: 34144103 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2021.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE The burden of financial hardship among individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has not been extensively studied. Therefore, we describe the scope and determinants of financial hardship among a nationally representative sample of adults with CKD. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS Nonelderly adults with CKD from the 2014-2018 National Health Interview Survey. EXPOSURE Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. OUTCOME Financial hardship based on medical bills and consequences of financial hardship (high financial distress, food insecurity, cost-related medication nonadherence, delayed/forgone care due to cost). Financial hardship was categorized into 3 levels: no financial hardship, financial hardship but able to pay bills, and unable to pay bills at all. Financial hardship was then modeled in 2 different ways: (1) any financial hardship (regardless of ability to pay) versus no financial hardship and (2) inability to pay bills versus no financial hardship and financial hardship but able to pay bills. ANALYTICAL APPROACH Nationally representative estimates of financial hardship from medical bills were computed. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the associations of sociodemographic and clinical factors with the outcomes of financial hardship based on medical bills. RESULTS A total 1,425 individuals, representing approximately 2.1 million Americans, reported a diagnosis of CKD within the past year, of whom 46.9% (95% CI, 43.7%-50.2%) reported experiencing financial hardship from medical bills; 20.9% (95% CI, 18.5%-23.6%) reported inability to pay medical bills at all. Lack of insurance was the strongest determinant of financial hardship in this population (odds ratio, 4.06 [95% CI, 2.18-7.56]). LIMITATIONS Self-reported nature of CKD diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Approximately half the nonelderly US population with CKD experiences financial hardship from medical bills that is associated strongly with lack of insurance. Evidence-based clinical and policy interventions are needed to address these hardships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Acquah
- Division of Cardiovascular Prevention and Wellness, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston, Texas; Center for Outcomes Research, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Javier Valero-Elizondo
- Division of Cardiovascular Prevention and Wellness, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston, Texas; Center for Outcomes Research, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Zulqarnain Javed
- Division of Cardiovascular Prevention and Wellness, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston, Texas; Center for Outcomes Research, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Hassan N Ibrahim
- Division of Renal Disease and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Kershaw V Patel
- Division of Cardiovascular Prevention and Wellness, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Hyeon-Ju Ryoo Ali
- Division of Cardiovascular Prevention and Wellness, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Terri Menser
- Center for Outcomes Research, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Rohan Khera
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Miguel Cainzos-Achirica
- Division of Cardiovascular Prevention and Wellness, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston, Texas; Center for Outcomes Research, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Khurram Nasir
- Division of Cardiovascular Prevention and Wellness, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston, Texas; Center for Outcomes Research, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas.
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Ma SJ, Iovoli AJ, Attwood K, Wooten KE, Arshad H, Gupta V, McSpadden RP, Kuriakose MA, Markiewicz MR, Chan JM, Hicks WL, Platek ME, Ray AD, Repasky EA, Farrugia MK, Singh AK. Association of significant financial burden with survival for head and neck cancer patients treated with radiation therapy. Oral Oncol 2021; 115:105196. [PMID: 33578203 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2021.105196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the association between financial toxicity and survival in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Using a single-institution database, we retrospectively reviewed HNC patients treated at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center treated with definitive or postoperative radiation therapy between 2013 and 2017. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests were used to analyze survival outcomes. Propensity score matching on all clinically relevant baseline characteristics was performed to address selection bias. All statistical tests were two-sided and those less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS Of a total of 284 HNC patients (age: median 61 years, IQR 55-67; 220 [77.5%] men), 204 patients (71.8%) received definitive radiation and 80 patients (28.2%) received adjuvant radiation. There were 41 patients (14.4%) who reported high baseline financial toxicity. Chemotherapy was used in 237 patients (83.5%). On multivariable analysis, those with high financial toxicity exhibited worse overall survival (hazards ratio [HR] 1.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-2.94, p = 0.03) and cancer specific survival (HR 2.28, 95% CI 1.31-3.96, p = 0.003). On matched pair analysis of 66 patients, high financial toxicity remained associated with worse OS (HR 2.72, 95% CI 1.04-7.09, p = 0.04) and CSS (HR 3.75, 95% CI 1.22-11.5, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION HNC patient reported baseline financial toxicity was significantly correlated with both decreased overall and cancer specific survival. These significant correlations held after match pairing. Further research is warranted to investigate the impact of financial toxicity in HNC and mitigate its risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Jun Ma
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
| | - Austin J Iovoli
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
| | - Kristopher Attwood
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
| | - Kimberly E Wooten
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
| | - Hassan Arshad
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
| | - Vishal Gupta
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
| | - Ryan P McSpadden
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
| | - Moni A Kuriakose
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
| | - Michael R Markiewicz
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
| | - Jon M Chan
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
| | - Wesley L Hicks
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
| | - Mary E Platek
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; Department of Dietetics, D'Youville College, 270 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14201, USA.
| | - Andrew D Ray
- Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
| | - Elizabeth A Repasky
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
| | - Mark K Farrugia
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
| | - Anurag K Singh
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
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Chen M, Singh AK, Repasky EA. Highlighting the Potential for Chronic Stress to Minimize Therapeutic Responses to Radiotherapy through Increased Immunosuppression and Radiation Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3853. [PMID: 33419318 PMCID: PMC7767049 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ionizing radiation has been used in the treatment of cancer for more than 100 years. While often very effective, there is still a great effort in place to improve the efficacy of radiation therapy for controlling the progression and recurrence of tumors. Recent research has revealed the close interaction between nerves and tumor progression, especially nerves of the autonomic nervous system that are activated by a variety of stressful stimuli including anxiety, pain, sleep loss or depression, each of which is likely to be increased in cancer patients. A growing literature now points to a negative effect of chronic stressful stimuli in tumor progression. In this review article, we present data on the potential for adrenergic stress to influence the efficacy of radiation and in particular, its potential to influence the anti-tumor immune response, and the frequency of an "abscopal effect" or the shrinkage of tumors which are outside an irradiated field. We conclude that chronic stress can be a major impediment to more effective radiation therapy through mechanisms involving immunosuppression and increased resistance to radiation-induced tumor cell death. Overall, these data highlight the potential value of stress reduction strategies to improve the outcome of radiation therapy. At the same time, objective biomarkers that can accurately and objectively reflect the degree of stress in patients over prolonged periods of time, and whether it is influencing immunosuppression and radiation resistance, are also critically needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minhui Chen
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA;
| | - Anurag K. Singh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA;
| | - Elizabeth A. Repasky
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA;
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