Abstract 2087P
Background
Cancer symptoms (CS) impose a significant burden on patients, affecting their quality of life and financial stability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of common CS on the physical and financial well-being of patients who frequently rely on medications to manage their cancer-related symptoms.
Methods
A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted between January and October 2022. The study aimed to identify patient-administered drugs for managing cancer treatment toxicities and associated symptoms. It assessed six common symptoms: anorexia/cachexia, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, pain, constipation, and diarrhea. Demographic data were collected, along with cancer type and active treatment status. Symptom assessment used PERSONS questionnaire, while financial distress (FD) was analyzed with the COST questionnaire.
Results
A total of 211 patients completed the questionnaires, providing valuable insights into their symptom management. However, 183 patients, relied on prescription drugs to alleviate their symptoms. Cancer pain (CP) management was the primary concern for 45% of the patients, followed by constipation, which affected 28% of them. Significantly, the analysis revealed a strong association between CP and lower PERSONS scores, suggesting a negative impact on overall well-being. CP was also correlated with FD, unlike other symptom categories, which did not show statistically significant correlations. Healthcare costs were primarily attributed to pain management, including visits to healthcare professionals and prescription medications. Pain-related expenses contributed to financial strain, resulting in increased out-of-pocket costs and potential income loss due to reduced work productivity or inability to work.
Conclusions
This survey highlights the profound impact of CP on the quality of life and financial well-being of cancer patients. Collaborative efforts among healthcare professionals and policymakers are crucial in developing integrated approaches that ensure accessible and affordable pain management for cancer patients, thus alleviating their suffering and reducing the financial burden associated with pain.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
R. Giusti.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
R. Giusti: Financial Interests, Personal, Expert Testimony, Advisory Board for Clinician's expertise on Drug Management: Roche; Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker, Publication fee for open access manuscript: Molteni; Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board, Advisory Board: Novartis, Pfizer; Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker to national and international congress: Angelini Pharma; Financial Interests, Personal, Expert Testimony, Expert testimony on Drug Management: Takeda. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Resources from the same session
2076P - Topical diclofenac for prevention of HFS in patients receiving capecitabine monotherapy: An exploratory subgroup analysis of the D-ToRCH phase III trial
Presenter: Akhil Santhosh
Session: Poster session 06
2077P - A randomized, placebo-controlled trial assessing the efficacy and safety of the combination of superoxide dismutase, alpha lipoic acid, vitamin B12, B1, B2, B6, E, Mg, Zn and a fatty acid for 6 months in the management of chemotherapy induced neuropathic pain
Presenter: Triantafylos Didangelos
Session: Poster session 06
2078P - Evaluation of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting beyond the delayed phase: Results of a survey of healthcare providers in Japan
Presenter: Florian Scotté
Session: Poster session 06
2079P - Naloxegol for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation in patients with cancer pain: A pooled analysis of real-world studies (NALOPOOL)
Presenter: Maria del Carmen Beato Zambrano
Session: Poster session 06
2080P - Incidence and risks of intravenous chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (ICIN) in oncology: A multicenter retrospective cohort study on real-life data
Presenter: Olivia Rohr
Session: Poster session 06
2081P - The therapeutic effect of anti-inflammatory tripeptide cream on hand-foot syndrome related to anticancer drugs: A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial
Presenter: Yaewon Yang
Session: Poster session 06
2082P - TASMAN: An international survey on the knowledge, aTtitudes and clinical pAtternsS of use of Medical Cannabis for caNcer care
Presenter: Marco Filetti
Session: Poster session 06
2083P - Association between VTE location and risk of recurrent, bleeding and death in the international prospective TESEO SEOM cancer cohort
Presenter: Rocío Martín Lozano
Session: Poster session 06
2084P - Cardiovascular (CV) mortality among metastatic cancer patients: A retrospective cohort study
Presenter: Irbaz Riaz
Session: Poster session 06