Asad Arastu1, Arpan Patel2, Supriya Gupta Mohile2, Joseph Ciminelli3, Ramya Kaushik4, Megan Wells2, Eva Culakova5, Lianlian Lei6, Huiwen Xu5, David W Dougherty7, Mostafa R Mohamed2,6, Elaine Hill6, Paul Duberstein8, Marie Anne Flannery9, Charles Stewart Kamen2, Chintan Pandya7, Jeffrey L Berenberg10, Valerie G Aarne Grossman2, Yang Liu11, Kah Poh Loh2. 1. Department of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University Hospital, Portland. 2. Division of Hematology/Oncology, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York. 3. Department of Biostatistics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York. 4. University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York. 5. Department of Surgery, Cancer Control, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York. 6. Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York. 7. Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts. 8. Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey. 9. School of Nursing, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York. 10. Hawaii National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program, Honolulu. 11. Department of Neurosurgery, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York.
Abstract
Importance: Financial toxicity (FT), unintended and unanticipated financial burden experienced by cancer patients undergoing cancer care, is associated with negative consequences and increased risk of mortality. Older patients (≥70 years) with cancer are at risk for FT, yet data are limited on FT and whether oncologists discuss FT with their patients. Objective: To examine the prevalence of FT in older adults with advanced cancer, its association with health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and cost conversations between oncologists and patients. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional secondary analysis was performed on baseline data from the Improving Communication in Older Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers study, a cluster randomized trial from 31 community oncology practices across the US that was conducted from October 29, 2014, to April 28, 2017. Participants included 536 patients with advanced cancer who answered 3 questions regarding financial toxicity. Data were analyzed from September 1, 2019, to May 1, 2020. Exposure: Older patients undergoing cancer care treatments. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcome looked at FT and its association with HRQoL. Three questions were used to identify patients 70 years or older experiencing FT. Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess the independent associations of FT with HRQoL. A single audio-recorded clinic transcript was analyzed within 4 weeks of enrollment for patients with FT. The framework method was used to identify frequency and themes related to cost conversations. Results: This study evaluated 536 patients 70 years or older with advanced cancer. Ninety-eight patients (18.3%) reported FT; mean (SD) age was 76.4 (5.4) years; 59 (60.2%) were female, 14 (14.3%) were Black/African American, 91 (92.9%) were not employed, and 29 (29.6%) had Medicare as their sole insurance coverage. On multivariate regression analyses, FT was associated with higher levels of depression (β = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.15-1.48), anxiety (β = 1.67; 95% CI, 0.74-2.61), and distress (β = 0.73; 95% CI, 0.08-1.39) and lower HRQoL (β = -5.30; 95% CI, -8.92 to -1.69). Among those who reported FT, 49% had a conversation with their health care professional about costs. Most conversations (79%) were initiated by oncologists or patients. Four themes were generated from cost conversations: statements regarding cost of care, ability to afford medical prescriptions, indirect consequences associated with inability to work and provide for family, and cost burden in nontreatment domains. Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, among older adults with advanced cancer, FT is associated with worse HRQoL. Almost half of conversations among patients reporting FT demonstrated costs are being actively discussed. Resources and interventions are needed to manage FT.
Importance: Financial toxicity (FT), unintended and unanticipated financial burden experienced by cancer patients undergoing cancer care, is associated with negative consequences and increased risk of mortality. Older patients (≥70 years) with cancer are at risk for FT, yet data are limited on FT and whether oncologists discuss FT with their patients. Objective: To examine the prevalence of FT in older adults with advanced cancer, its association with health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and cost conversations between oncologists and patients. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional secondary analysis was performed on baseline data from the Improving Communication in Older Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers study, a cluster randomized trial from 31 community oncology practices across the US that was conducted from October 29, 2014, to April 28, 2017. Participants included 536 patients with advanced cancer who answered 3 questions regarding financial toxicity. Data were analyzed from September 1, 2019, to May 1, 2020. Exposure: Older patients undergoing cancer care treatments. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcome looked at FT and its association with HRQoL. Three questions were used to identify patients 70 years or older experiencing FT. Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess the independent associations of FT with HRQoL. A single audio-recorded clinic transcript was analyzed within 4 weeks of enrollment for patients with FT. The framework method was used to identify frequency and themes related to cost conversations. Results: This study evaluated 536 patients 70 years or older with advanced cancer. Ninety-eight patients (18.3%) reported FT; mean (SD) age was 76.4 (5.4) years; 59 (60.2%) were female, 14 (14.3%) were Black/African American, 91 (92.9%) were not employed, and 29 (29.6%) had Medicare as their sole insurance coverage. On multivariate regression analyses, FT was associated with higher levels of depression (β = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.15-1.48), anxiety (β = 1.67; 95% CI, 0.74-2.61), and distress (β = 0.73; 95% CI, 0.08-1.39) and lower HRQoL (β = -5.30; 95% CI, -8.92 to -1.69). Among those who reported FT, 49% had a conversation with their health care professional about costs. Most conversations (79%) were initiated by oncologists or patients. Four themes were generated from cost conversations: statements regarding cost of care, ability to afford medical prescriptions, indirect consequences associated with inability to work and provide for family, and cost burden in nontreatment domains. Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, among older adults with advanced cancer, FT is associated with worse HRQoL. Almost half of conversations among patients reporting FT demonstrated costs are being actively discussed. Resources and interventions are needed to manage FT.
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