BACKGROUND: Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) may suffer significant economic hardship during treatment. Complications are common after surgery for CRC and may exacerbate the financial burden of CRC even further. METHODS: Within a population-based survey of patients with stage III CRC, the authors investigated the effects of disease and treatment on personal finances and computed a composite measure of financial burden. Correlations were examined between components of financial burden and patient-reported postoperative complications using chi-square analyses, and Mantel-Haenszel chi-square tend tests were used to evaluate correlations between composite financial burden scores and surgical complications, controlling for patient characteristics and other factors by using multivariable Poisson regression. RESULTS: Among 937 respondents, 224 (24%) reported complications after surgery. Those with complications had significantly higher composite financial burden (P < .001 for trend): they were more likely to spend savings (40% vs 31%; P = .01), borrow or take loans (18% vs 11%; P = .007), fail to make credit card payments (18% vs 11%; P = .005), reduce spending for food or clothes (38% vs 27%; P = .001), and decrease recreational activities (41% vs 33%; P = .03). They took significantly longer to return to work (P = .009) and were more likely to experience significant worry about finances (61% vs 52%; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Complications after surgery for CRC result in significant personal financial consequences as well as morbidity. Financial stress impairs quality of life and may prevent adherence to recommended treatments. Therefore, patients who suffer complications may require not just additional clinical care but also economic support and services.
BACKGROUND:Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) may suffer significant economic hardship during treatment. Complications are common after surgery for CRC and may exacerbate the financial burden of CRC even further. METHODS: Within a population-based survey of patients with stage III CRC, the authors investigated the effects of disease and treatment on personal finances and computed a composite measure of financial burden. Correlations were examined between components of financial burden and patient-reported postoperative complications using chi-square analyses, and Mantel-Haenszel chi-square tend tests were used to evaluate correlations between composite financial burden scores and surgical complications, controlling for patient characteristics and other factors by using multivariable Poisson regression. RESULTS: Among 937 respondents, 224 (24%) reported complications after surgery. Those with complications had significantly higher composite financial burden (P < .001 for trend): they were more likely to spend savings (40% vs 31%; P = .01), borrow or take loans (18% vs 11%; P = .007), fail to make credit card payments (18% vs 11%; P = .005), reduce spending for food or clothes (38% vs 27%; P = .001), and decrease recreational activities (41% vs 33%; P = .03). They took significantly longer to return to work (P = .009) and were more likely to experience significant worry about finances (61% vs 52%; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Complications after surgery for CRC result in significant personal financial consequences as well as morbidity. Financial stress impairs quality of life and may prevent adherence to recommended treatments. Therefore, patients who suffer complications may require not just additional clinical care but also economic support and services.
Authors: Mark A Healy; Jason C Pradarelli; Robert W Krell; Scott E Regenbogen; Pasithorn A Suwanabol Journal: Dis Colon Rectum Date: 2016-11 Impact factor: 4.585
Authors: Matthew P Banegas; Jennifer L Schneider; Alison J Firemark; John F Dickerson; Erin E Kent; Janet S de Moor; Katherine S Virgo; Gery P Guy; Donatus U Ekwueme; Zhiyuan Zheng; Alexandra M Varga; Lisa A Waiwaiole; Stephanie M Nutt; Aditi Narayan; K Robin Yabroff Journal: J Cancer Surviv Date: 2019-05-23 Impact factor: 4.442
Authors: Daniel E Abbott; Grace Martin; David A Kooby; Nipun B Merchant; Malcolm H Squires; Shishir K Maithel; Sharon M Weber; Emily R Winslow; Clifford S Cho; David J Bentrem; Hong Jin Kim; Charles R Scoggins; Robert C Martin; Alexander A Parikh; William G Hawkins; Syed A Ahmad Journal: HPB (Oxford) Date: 2016-03-02 Impact factor: 3.647
Authors: Mark A Healy; Jason C Pradarelli; Robert W Krell; Scott E Regenbogen; Pasithorn A Suwanabol Journal: Am J Surg Date: 2016-07-18 Impact factor: 2.565
Authors: Christine M Veenstra; Scott E Regenbogen; Sarah T Hawley; Jennifer J Griggs; Mousumi Banerjee; Ikuko Kato; Kevin C Ward; Arden M Morris Journal: Med Care Date: 2014-11 Impact factor: 2.983
Authors: Grace L Smith; Maria A Lopez-Olivo; Pragati G Advani; Matthew S Ning; Yimin Geng; Sharon H Giordano; Robert J Volk Journal: J Natl Compr Canc Netw Date: 2019-10-01 Impact factor: 11.908