INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have estimated the costs of skeletal-related events (SREs) for patients with bone metastases of solid tumors by tallying costs for services specifically attributable to these events. This approach may underestimate costs if SREs indirectly increase use of other services. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study using a large health insurance claims database. Patients with bone metastases of lung cancer who experienced > or =1 SRE were matched to similar patients without SREs based on propensity scores. Kaplan-Meier estimated total medical care costs were compared for propensity-matched samples of patients with SREs and without SREs. RESULTS: We identified 534 patients with lung cancer and bone metastases, including 295 (55%) with > or =1 SRE. After matching, there were 162 patients each in the SRE and no-SRE groups with mean follow-up of 5.3 and 3.9 months, respectively. In the SRE group, costs of treatment of SREs were $9,480 (95% CI $7,625 to $11,374) per patient. Total medical care costs were $27,982 (95% CI $15,921 to $40,625) greater for SRE versus no-SRE patients (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The costs of SREs in patients with lung cancer and bone metastases are substantial and potentially greater than previously estimated.
INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have estimated the costs of skeletal-related events (SREs) for patients with bone metastases of solid tumors by tallying costs for services specifically attributable to these events. This approach may underestimate costs if SREs indirectly increase use of other services. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study using a large health insurance claims database. Patients with bone metastases of lung cancer who experienced > or =1 SRE were matched to similar patients without SREs based on propensity scores. Kaplan-Meier estimated total medical care costs were compared for propensity-matched samples of patients with SREs and without SREs. RESULTS: We identified 534 patients with lung cancer and bone metastases, including 295 (55%) with > or =1 SRE. After matching, there were 162 patients each in the SRE and no-SRE groups with mean follow-up of 5.3 and 3.9 months, respectively. In the SRE group, costs of treatment of SREs were $9,480 (95% CI $7,625 to $11,374) per patient. Total medical care costs were $27,982 (95% CI $15,921 to $40,625) greater for SRE versus no-SRE patients (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The costs of SREs in patients with lung cancer and bone metastases are substantial and potentially greater than previously estimated.
Authors: Fabian Obregon-Miano; Ali Fathi; Catherine Rathsam; Isbel Sandoval; Fariba Deheghani; Axel Spahr Journal: J Mater Sci Mater Med Date: 2020-01-27 Impact factor: 3.896
Authors: Chiara D'Antonio; Antonio Passaro; Bruno Gori; Ester Del Signore; Maria Rita Migliorino; Serena Ricciardi; Alberto Fulvi; Filippo de Marinis Journal: Ther Adv Med Oncol Date: 2014-05 Impact factor: 8.168
Authors: Nóra Bittner; Zoltán Balikó; Veronika Sárosi; Terézia László; Erika Tóth; Miklós Kásler; Lajos Géczi Journal: Pathol Oncol Res Date: 2015-06-09 Impact factor: 3.201
Authors: Eberechukwu Onukwugha; Candice Yong; Arif Hussain; Brian Seal; C Daniel Mullins Journal: BMC Med Res Methodol Date: 2014-01-02 Impact factor: 4.615
Authors: Michael Kuchuk; Christina L Addison; Mark Clemons; Iryna Kuchuk; Paul Wheatley-Price Journal: J Bone Oncol Date: 2013-01-17 Impact factor: 4.072