Abstract 393P
Background
In patients with brain tumours, both the cost of therapy and loss of productivity contribute to financial burden. Financial burden has been known to impact health-related quality of life (QoL), compliance and survival. With the escalating costs of cancer therapy, it is important to consider financial toxicity and its impact on patient outcomes. Financial toxicity in patients with brain tumours is under reported in India. Hence we conducted this study to estimate financial toxicity in our patients, contributing factors and its impact on QoL.
Methods
Financial toxicity data in 147 consecutive brain tumour patients who attended the neuro-oncology OPD was collected. The COmprehensive Score for financial Toxicity-Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (COST-FACIT) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Brain (FACT Br) questionnaires were used to collect data on financial toxicity score (FTS) and QoL respectively; at a single time point. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to determine the association of FTS with various domains of QoL. Multiple linear regressions were used to determine the factors influencing the FTS.
Results
There were 147 patients with a median age of 37 (16-69) years, 102 (67.5%) were male and 45 (32.5%) were female. The median monthly income was 92.75 USD. High grade gliomas -grade 3 and glioblastoma multiforme were seen in 39.5% and 32.7% of the patients respectively. The median FTS was 13 (IQR, 6 - 21).The median FACT-G, FACT-Br TOI and FACT-Br total scores were 77.2 (IQR 64 – 91.66), 92.89 (IQR 73.16 -107) and 131.5 (IQR 107.33 - 150.9) respectively. There was a significant correlation between FACT-Br TOI (p= 0.000), FACT-G (p = 0.000), FACT-Br Total (p = 0.000) and the FTS. Age > 60 years (β = 0.242, p = 0.001), general category (β = 0.398, p= 0.000) and recurrent disease (β=-0.151, p = 0.043) had significant association with low FTS indicating higher financial toxicity.
Conclusions
Patients with brain tumours undergoing systemic therapy had low FTS indicating higher financial distress. Patients aged > 60 years, from general category and those with recurrent disease had higher financial toxicity.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.