1
|
Harris JP, Ku E, Harada G, Hsu S, Chiao E, Rao P, Healy E, Nagasaka M, Humphreys J, Hoyt MA. Severity of Financial Toxicity for Patients Receiving Palliative Radiation Therapy. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2024; 41:592-600. [PMID: 37406195 PMCID: PMC10772523 DOI: 10.1177/10499091231187999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Financial toxicity has negative implications for patient well-being and health outcomes. There is a gap in understanding financial toxicity for patients undergoing palliative radiotherapy (RT). Methods: A review of patients treated with palliative RT was conducted from January 2021 to December 2022. The FACIT-COST (COST) was measured (higher scores implying better financial well-being). Financial toxicity was graded according to previously suggested cutoffs: Grade 0 (score ≥26), Grade 1 (14-25), Grade 2 (1-13), and Grade 3 (0). FACIT-TS-G was used for treatment satisfaction, and EORTC QLQ-C30 was assessed for global health status and functional scales. Results: 53 patients were identified. Median COST was 25 (range 0-44), 49% had Grade 0 financial toxicity, 32% Grade 1, 15% Grade 2, and 4% Grade 3. Overall, cancer caused financial hardship among 45%. Higher COST was weakly associated with higher global health status/Quality of Life (QoL), physical functioning, role functioning, and cognitive functioning; moderately associated with higher social functioning; and strongly associated with improved emotional functioning. Higher income or Medicare or private coverage (rather than Medicaid) was associated with less financial toxicity, whereas an underrepresented minority background or a non-English language preference was associated with greater financial toxicity. A multivariate model found that higher area income (HR .80, P = .007) and higher cognitive functioning (HR .96, P = .01) were significantly associated with financial toxicity. Conclusions: Financial toxicity was seen in approximately half of patients receiving palliative RT. The highest risk groups were those with lower income and lower cognitive functioning. This study supports the measurement of financial toxicity by clinicians.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy P Harris
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Irvine, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Eric Ku
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Irvine, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Garrett Harada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Irvine, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Sophie Hsu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Irvine, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Elaine Chiao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Irvine, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Pranathi Rao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Irvine, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Erin Healy
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Irvine, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Misako Nagasaka
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California Irvine, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Jessica Humphreys
- Department of Geriatrics and Extended Care, Division of Palliative Care, Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center, Long Beach, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Palliative Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Michael A Hoyt
- Department of Population Health & Disease Prevention, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|