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Sparano F, Giesinger JM, Gaidano G, Anota A, Cavo M, Brini A, Voso MT, Venditti A, Perrone F, Di Maio M, Luppi M, Baron F, Platzbecker U, Fazi P, Vignetti M, Efficace F. Financial Toxicity and Health-Related Quality of Life Profile of Patients With Hematologic Malignancies Treated in a Universal Health Care System. JCO Oncol Pract 2024; 20:438-447. [PMID: 38207239 DOI: 10.1200/op.23.00434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated the association of financial toxicity (FT) with the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) profile of patients with hematologic malignancies treated in a universal health care system. METHODS We did a secondary analysis of six multicenter studies enrolling patients with hematologic malignancies. FT was evaluated using the financial difficulties item of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess the mean differences in HRQoL scores between patients with or without FT, while adjusting for key potential confounding factors. We also examined the prevalence of clinically important problems and symptoms by the experience of FT, using established thresholds for the EORTC QLQ-C30. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the risk factors associated with FT. RESULTS Overall, 1,847 patients were analyzed, of whom 441 (23.9%) reported FT. We observed statistically and clinically relevant worse scores for patients with FT compared with those without FT for all the EORTC QLQ-C30 scales. The three largest clinically relevant mean differences between patients with and without FT were observed in pain (∆ = 19.6 [95% CI, 15.7 to 23.5]; P < .001), social functioning (∆ = -18.9 [95% CI, -22.5 to -15.2]; P < .001), and role functioning (Δ = -17.7 [95% CI, -22.1 to -13.3]; P < .001). Patients with FT tended to report a higher prevalence of clinically important problems and symptoms across all EORTC QLQ-C30 scales. In the univariable and multivariable analyses, the presence of FT was associated with the presence of comorbidities, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥1, and not receiving a salary. CONCLUSION Patients with hematologic malignancies treated in the setting of a universal health care system who experience FT have a worse HRQoL profile compared with those without FT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Sparano
- Data Center and Health Outcomes Research Unit, Italian Group for Adult Haematologic Diseases (GIMEMA), Rome, Italy
| | - Johannes M Giesinger
- University Hospital of Psychiatry II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gianluca Gaidano
- Division of Hematology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont and AOU Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy
| | - Amelie Anota
- Biostatistics Unit, Direction of Clinical Research and Innovation, Human and Social Sciences Department, and French National Platform Quality of Life and Cancer, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Michele Cavo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Istituto di Ematologia "Seràgnoli", Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alberto Brini
- Data Center and Health Outcomes Research Unit, Italian Group for Adult Haematologic Diseases (GIMEMA), Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Voso
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Adriano Venditti
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Perrone
- Clinical Trial Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Fondazione G Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - Massimo Di Maio
- Department of Oncology, Oncology Unit, University of Torino, Ordine Mauriziano Hospital, Torino, Italy
| | - Mario Luppi
- Section of Hematology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, AOU Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Frederic Baron
- Department of Hematology, University and CHU of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Uwe Platzbecker
- Clinic and Policlinic of Hematology and Cellular Therapy, Oncology and Hemostaseology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Paola Fazi
- Data Center and Health Outcomes Research Unit, Italian Group for Adult Haematologic Diseases (GIMEMA), Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Vignetti
- Data Center and Health Outcomes Research Unit, Italian Group for Adult Haematologic Diseases (GIMEMA), Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Efficace
- Data Center and Health Outcomes Research Unit, Italian Group for Adult Haematologic Diseases (GIMEMA), Rome, Italy
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Arenare L, Porta C, Barberio D, Terzolo S, Zagonel V, Pisconti S, Del Mastro L, Pinto C, Bilancia D, Cinieri S, Rizzo M, Migliaccio G, Montesarchio V, Del Campo L, De Lorenzo F, Iannelli E, Traclò F, Gitto L, Vaccaro MC, Frontini L, Giannarelli D, Bryce J, Piccirillo MC, Jommi C, Efficace F, Riva S, Di Maio M, Gallo C, Perrone F. Confirmatory validation analysis of the PROFFIT questionnaire to assess financial toxicity in cancer patients. ESMO Open 2023; 8:102192. [PMID: 38052104 PMCID: PMC10774953 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2023.102192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Patient Reported Outcome for Fighting FInancial Toxicity (PROFFIT) questionnaire was developed to measure financial toxicity (FT) and identify its determinants. The aim of the present study was to confirm its validity in a prospective cohort of patients receiving anticancer treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS From March 2021 to July 2022, 221 patients were enrolled at 10 Italian centres. Selected items of the EORTC-QLQ-C30 questionnaire represented the anchors, specifically, question 28 (Q-28) on financial difficulties, and questions 29-30 measuring global health status/quality of life (HR-QOL). The study had 80% power to detect a 0.20 correlation coefficient (r) between anchors and PROFFIT-score (items 1-7, range 0-100, 100 indicating maximum FT) with bilateral alpha 0.05 and 80% power. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted. FT determinants (items 8-16) were described. RESULTS Median age of patients was 65 years, 116 (52.5%) were females, 96 (43.4%) had low education level. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed goodness of fit of the PROFFIT-score. Significant partial correlation of PROFFIT-score was found with Q-28 (r = 0.51) and HR-QOL (r = -0.23). Mean (SD) PROFFIT-score at baseline was 36.5 (24.9); it was statistically significantly higher for patients living in South Italy, those with lower education level, those who were freelancer/unemployed at diagnosis and those who reported significant economic impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. Mean (SD) scores of determinants ranged from 17.6 (27.1) for item 14 (support from medical staff) to 49.0 (36.3) for item 10 (expenses for medicines or supplements). PROFFIT-score significantly increased with worsening response to determinants. CONCLUSIONS External validation of PROFFIT-score in an independent sample of patients was successful. The instrument is now being used in clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Arenare
- Clinical Trial Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS, Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - C Porta
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi 'A. Moro', Bari, Italy; Polyclinic Consortium University Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - D Barberio
- Departmental Structure of Clinical Psycho-oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS, Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - S Terzolo
- Department of Oncology, Università di Torino, AO Ordine Mauriziano, Torino, Italy
| | - V Zagonel
- Oncology Unit 1, Istituto Oncologico Veneto, IOV, IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - S Pisconti
- Oncology Unit, Ospedale S. G. Moscati, Statte TA, Italy
| | - L Del Mastro
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - C Pinto
- Medical Oncology, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - D Bilancia
- Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera San Carlo, Potenza, Italy
| | - S Cinieri
- Medical Oncologiy, Ospedale Perrino, Brindisi, Italy
| | - M Rizzo
- Polyclinic Consortium University Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - G Migliaccio
- Departmental Structure of Clinical Psycho-oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS, Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - V Montesarchio
- Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Specialistica dei Colli, Napoli, Italy
| | - L Del Campo
- Federazione Italiana delle Associazioni di Volontariato in Oncologia (FAVO), Rome, Italy
| | - F De Lorenzo
- Federazione Italiana delle Associazioni di Volontariato in Oncologia (FAVO), Rome, Italy; European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC), Brussels, Italy
| | - E Iannelli
- Federazione Italiana delle Associazioni di Volontariato in Oncologia (FAVO), Rome, Italy; Associazione Italiana Malati di Cancro (AIMAC), Roma, Italy
| | - F Traclò
- Associazione Italiana Malati di Cancro (AIMAC), Roma, Italy
| | - L Gitto
- Department of Economy, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - M C Vaccaro
- Welfare and Health Department, Centro Studi Investimenti Sociali (CENSIS), Roma, Italy
| | - L Frontini
- Federation of Italian Cooperative Oncology Groups (FICOG), Milano, Italy
| | - D Giannarelli
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, GSTeP, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - J Bryce
- Ascension St. John Clinical Research Institute, Tulsa, USA
| | - M C Piccirillo
- Clinical Trial Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS, Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - C Jommi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - F Efficace
- Gruppo Italiano per le Malattie Ematologiche dell'Adulto (GIMEMA) Health Outcomes Research Unit, Roma, Italy
| | - S Riva
- St Mary's University, Twickenham, London, UK
| | - M Di Maio
- Department of Oncology, Università di Torino, AO Ordine Mauriziano, Torino, Italy
| | - C Gallo
- Professor Emeritus Medical Statistics, Università degli Studi della Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Napoli, Italy
| | - F Perrone
- Clinical Trial Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS, Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy.
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Knight TG, Aguiar M, Robinson M, Morse A, Chen T, Bose R, Ai J, Ragon BK, Chojecki AL, Shah NA, Sanikommu SR, Symanowski J, Copelan EA, Grunwald MR. Financial Toxicity Intervention Improves Outcomes in Patients With Hematologic Malignancy. JCO Oncol Pract 2022; 18:e1494-e1504. [DOI: 10.1200/op.22.00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE: Patients with hematologic malignancies are extremely vulnerable to financial toxicity (FT) because of the high costs of treatment and health care utilization. This pilot study identified patients at high risk because of FT and attempted to improve clinical outcomes with comprehensive intervention. METHODS: All patients who presented to the Levine Cancer Institute's Leukemia Clinic between May 26, 2019, and March 10, 2020, were screened for inclusion by standardized two question previsit survey. Patients screening positive were enrolled in the comprehensive intervention that used nurse navigators, clinical pharmacists, and community pro bono financial planners. Primary outcomes were defined as improvement in mental and physical quality of life in all patients and improvement in overall survival in the high-risk disease group. RESULTS: One hundred seven patients completed comprehensive intervention. Patients experiencing FT had increased rates of noncompliance including to prescription (16.8%) and over-the-counter medications (15.9%). The intervention resulted in statistically significantly higher quality of life when measured by using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System physical (12.5 ± 2.2 v 13.7 ± 1.8) and mental health scores (11.4 ± 2.2 v 12.4 ± 2.2; all P < .001). In patients with high-risk disease (as determined by using disease-specific scoring systems), risk of death in those receiving the intervention was 0.44 times the risk of death in those without the intervention after adjusting for race, and treatment with stem-cell transplant, oral chemotherapy, or immunotherapy (95% CI, 0.21 to 0.94; P = .034). CONCLUSION: Screening and intervention on FT for patients with hematologic malignancies is associated with increased quality of life and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas G. Knight
- Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC
| | | | - Myra Robinson
- Department of Cancer Biostatistics, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC
| | - Allison Morse
- Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC
| | - Tommy Chen
- Department of Cancer Biostatistics, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC
| | - Rupali Bose
- Department of Cancer Biostatistics, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC
| | - Jing Ai
- Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC
| | - Brittany K. Ragon
- Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC
| | - Aleksander L. Chojecki
- Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC
| | - Nilay A. Shah
- Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC
| | - Srinivasa R. Sanikommu
- Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC
| | - James Symanowski
- Department of Cancer Biostatistics, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC
| | - Edward A. Copelan
- Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC
| | - Michael R. Grunwald
- Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC
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Riva S, Arenare L, Di Maio M, Efficace F, Montesarchio V, Frontini L, Giannarelli D, Bryce J, Del Campo L, De Lorenzo F, Iannelli E, Traclò F, Gitto L, Jommi C, Vaccaro CM, Barberio D, Cinieri S, Porta C, Del Mastro L, Zagonel V, Cogoni AA, Bordonaro R, Gimigliano A, Piccirillo MC, Guizzaro L, Gallo C, Perrone F. Cross-sectional study to develop and describe psychometric characteristics of a patient-reported instrument (PROFFIT) for measuring financial toxicity of cancer within a public healthcare system. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e049128. [PMID: 34670762 PMCID: PMC8529986 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To measure and explain financial toxicity (FT) of cancer in Italy, where a public healthcare system exists and patients with cancer are not expected (or only marginally) to pay out-of-pocket for healthcare. SETTING Ten clinical oncological centres, distributed across Italian macroregions (North, Centre, South and Islands), including hospitals, university hospitals and national research institutes. PARTICIPANTS From 8 October 2019 to 11 December 2019, 184 patients, aged 18 or more, who were receiving or had received within the previous 3 months active anticancer treatment were enrolled, 108 (59%) females and 76 (41%) males. INTERVENTION A 30-item prefinal questionnaire, previously developed within the qualitative tasks of the project, was administered, either electronically (n=115) or by paper sheet (n=69). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES According to the protocol and the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research methodology, the final questionnaire was developed by mean of explanatory factor analysis and tested for reliability, internal consistency (Cronbach's α test and item-total correlation) and stability of measurements over time (test-retest reliability by intraclass correlation coefficient and weighted Cohen's kappa coefficient). RESULTS After exploratory factor analysis, a score measuring FT (FT score) was identified, made by seven items dealing with outcomes of FT. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the FT score was 0.87 and the item-total correlation coefficients ranged from 0.53 to 0.74. Further, nine single items representing possible determinants of FT were also retained in the final instrument. Test-retest analysis revealed a good internal validity of the FT score and of the 16 items retained in the final questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS The Patient-Reported Outcome for Fighting FInancial Toxicity (PROFFIT) instrument consists of 16 items and is the first reported instrument to assess FT of cancer developed in a country with a fully public healthcare system. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03473379.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Riva
- Psychology and Pedagogic Science, St Mary's University, Twickenham, London, UK
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University Hospital of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Arenare
- Unità Sperimentazioni Cliniche, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Massimo Di Maio
- Dipartimento di Oncologia, AO Ordine Mauriziano, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Fabio Efficace
- Health Outcomes Research Unit, Gruppo Italiano per le Malattie Ematologiche dell'Adulto (GIMEMA), Roma, Italy
| | | | - Luciano Frontini
- Federation of Italian Cooperative Oncology Groups (FICOG), Milano, Italy
| | - Diana Giannarelli
- Unità di Biostatistica, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori Regina Elena, IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Jane Bryce
- Unità Sperimentazioni Cliniche, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione Pascale, Napoli, Italy
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina e Prevenzione, Università degli Studi di Roma "Tor Vergata", Roma, Italy
- Clinical Research Institute, Ascension St. John Clinical Research Institute, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Laura Del Campo
- Federazione Italiana delle Associazioni di Volontariato in Oncologia (FAVO), Roma, Italy
| | - Francesco De Lorenzo
- Associazione Italiana Malati di Cancro (AIMAC), Roma, Italy
- European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elisabetta Iannelli
- Federazione Italiana delle Associazioni di Volontariato in Oncologia (FAVO), Roma, Italy
| | | | - Lara Gitto
- Dipartimento di Economia, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Claudio Jommi
- CERGAS (Centre for Health and Social Care Management), Università Bocconi, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Daniela Barberio
- Psiconcologia Clinica, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Camillo Porta
- Oncologia Medica, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche ed Oncologia Umana, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Lucia Del Mastro
- Breast Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Medicina Specialistica (DIMI), Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Anna Gimigliano
- Unità Sperimentazioni Cliniche, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Maria Carmela Piccirillo
- Unità Sperimentazioni Cliniche, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Guizzaro
- Statistica Medica, Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Napoli, Italy
| | - Ciro Gallo
- Statistica Medica, Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Napoli, Italy
| | - Francesco Perrone
- Unità Sperimentazioni Cliniche, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione Pascale, Napoli, Italy
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A qualitative analysis and development of a conceptual model assessing financial toxicity in cancer patients accessing the universal healthcare system. Support Care Cancer 2020; 29:3219-3233. [DOI: 10.1007/s00520-020-05840-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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