(185) Assessment of Financial Toxicity and Its Association with Quality of Life Among Radiation Oncology Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in India

Saturday, August 27, 2022

8:00 AM – 6:00 PM CEST

Location: Hall C

Publication Number: 859

Presenting Author(s)

Mukhtar Ahmad Dar, PhD
– Research Scholar, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF PHARMACEUTICAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH, HAJIPUR, Patna, Bihar, India

Co-Author(s)

Richa Chauhan
– Radiation oncologist, Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Center (MCSRC), Patna, Patna, Bihar, India
Sameer Dhingra
– Associate Professor, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hajipur, Patna, Bihar, India

Background: Financial toxicity has been associated with several clinical outcomes like early mortality and poor quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the magnitude of FT among radiation oncology patients and its association with health-related quality of life (HRQOL)..

Objectives: To evaluate the magnitude of financial toxicity and its association with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and to identify the relevant correlates of financial toxicity among Indian radiation oncology patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among cancer patients who have completed radiation therapy either as stand-alone or part of a multimodal treatment. The financial toxicity and HRQOL were assessed using Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy: General (FACT-G) measures respectively. Association between financial toxicity and HRQOL was assessed using Pearson correlation. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to identify the factors associated with financial toxicity..

Results: A total of 350 patients were included in this study. Of the 350 participants, 57.7% were male, 95.7% had no health insurance and61% were diagnosed with HNC cancers. The average COST score was 15.38 ± 9.18 (range 2-35) and the average FACT-G score was 69.63 ± 12.25 (range 33-99). Based on total COST score, 7.4% participants reported grade-3 and 44.9% reported grade-2financial toxicity. A significant positive correlation was observed between COST Score and FACT-G Score, with a correlation coefficient of 0.58,(p < .001) indicating a large effect size. COST Score also significantly predicted the FACT-G Score, β = 0.77, 95%CI (0.66 – 0.88) p< .001. The results of multivariate linear regression identified annual household income (β: 3.9, 95%CI: 3.29 to 4.57, p< .001) and cancer type (β: 3.74, 95%CI: 2.33 to 5.14, p< .001) as significant predictors of the COST score. Participants used multiple cost coping strategies to pay for the treatment expenses including, applying for financial assistance (83.7%), borrowing from social nets (54%), savings/selling assets (48.3%) and delaying treatment (9%).

Conclusions: More than 80% of the participants experienced some form of financial toxicity that was strongly correlated with poor HRQOL. The results highlight the need for interventions to alleviate the financial burden among cancer survivors.