The financial toll of cancer: uncovering the links between financial toxicity and symptom burden.

IF 4.8 2区医学 Q1 ONCOLOGY

Oncologist Pub Date : 2025-06-04 DOI:10.1093/oncolo/oyaf131

Marco Filetti, Pasquale Lombardi, Gabriella Gentile, Paolo Toccaceli, Guglielmo Fumi, Denise Vacca, Emilia Colpani, Giulio Ravoni, Federica Mazzuca, Gennaro Daniele, Giampiero Porzio, Eduardo Bruera, Raffaele Giusti

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose: This prospective observational study investigated the relationship between financial toxicity, symptom burden, disease characteristics and out-of-pocket (OOP) medication use in patients with cancer across 5 Italian institutions.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey assessed financial toxicity, symptom burden and OOP costs sustained by patients with cancer using validated questionnaires (COST, PERSONS). Associations between financial toxicity (COST score), symptom burden (PERSONS score) and clinical variables were explored.

Results: Among 211 respondents, mean COST score was 23 (SD 9.1) and 128 (60%) scored < 26, indicating financial toxicity. Symptom burden measured by the PERSONS score was associated with a higher OOP medications use (r = 0.449, P < .001) and inversely related to financial toxicity (r = -0.431; P < .001). In our study population, median number of OOP drug was 2 (IQR 1-2), most commonly analgesics and laxatives. There was a significantly worse COST score among patients using OOP analgesic: 19.8 (SD 9.5) vs 25.6 (SD 7.9), P < .001 and laxatives: 19.2 (SD 8.2) vs 24.4 [(SD 9.1), P < .00]. Overall, OOP drugs were linked to higher symptom burden (P < .001) and financial toxicity (P < .001).

Conclusions: The severity of symptoms and their management with OOP medications was significantly associated with patients' financial toxicity. These findings highlight the importance of integrating financial toxicity assessment into routine cancer care to optimize patient outcomes and well-being.

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癌症的经济代价：揭示经济毒性与症状负担之间的联系。

目的：本前瞻性观察性研究调查了意大利5家机构癌症患者的财务毒性、症状负担、疾病特征和自费（OOP）药物使用之间的关系。方法：采用经验证的问卷（COST， PERSONS）进行横断面调查，评估癌症患者的经济毒性、症状负担和OOP成本。探讨财务毒性（COST评分）、症状负担（PERSONS评分）与临床变量之间的关系。结果：211名受访者中，平均成本得分为23分（SD 9.1），得分为128分（60%）。结论：症状的严重程度及其对OOP药物的处理与患者的财务毒性显著相关。这些发现强调了将财务毒性评估纳入常规癌症治疗以优化患者预后和福祉的重要性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Oncologist 医学-肿瘤学

CiteScore

10.40

自引率

3.40%

发文量

309

审稿时长

3-8 weeks

期刊介绍： The Oncologist® is dedicated to translating the latest research developments into the best multidimensional care for cancer patients. Thus, The Oncologist is committed to helping physicians excel in this ever-expanding environment through the publication of timely reviews, original studies, and commentaries on important developments. We believe that the practice of oncology requires both an understanding of a range of disciplines encompassing basic science related to cancer, translational research, and clinical practice, but also the socioeconomic and psychosocial factors that determine access to care and quality of life and function following cancer treatment.