Financial toxicity in sarcoma patients and survivors in Germany: results from the multicenter PROSa study

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Matthias Büttner - , Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Author)
  • Susanne Singer - , Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Author)
  • Leopold Hentschel - , University Cancer Centre, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden (Author)
  • Stephan Richter - , Department of internal Medicine I, Department of internal Medicine I, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Peter Hohenberger - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Bernd Kasper - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Dimosthenis Andreou - , University of Münster, Helios Hospital Group (Author)
  • Daniel Pink - , Helios Hospital Group, University of Greifswald (Author)
  • Kathy Taylor - , Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Author)
  • Karin Arndt - , German Sarcoma Foundation (Author)
  • Martin Bornhäuser - , Department of internal Medicine I, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, Department of internal Medicine I, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Jochen Schmitt - , Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Heidelberg University , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Markus K. Schuler - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Martin Eichler - , University Cancer Centre, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, Department of internal Medicine I, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)

Abstract

Purpose: Cancer patients have been shown to frequently suffer from financial burden before, during, and after treatment. However, the financial toxicity of patients with sarcoma has seldom been assessed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether financial toxicity is a problem for sarcoma patients in Germany and identify associated risk factors. Methods: Patients for this analysis were obtained from a multicenter prospective cohort study conducted in Germany. Using the financial difficulties scale of the EORTC QLQ-C30, financial toxicity was considered to be present if the score exceeded a pre-defined threshold for clinical importance. Comparisons to an age- and sex-matched norm population were performed. A multivariate logistic regression using stepwise backward selection was used to identify factors associated with financial toxicity. Results: We included 1103 sarcoma patients treated in 39 centers and clinics; 498 (44.7%) patients reported financial toxicity. Sarcoma patients had 2.5 times the odds of reporting financial difficulties compared to an age- and sex-matched norm population. Patient age < 40 and > 52.5 years, higher education status, higher income, and disease progression (compared to patients with complete remission) were associated with lower odds of reporting financial toxicity. Receiving a disability pension, being currently on sick leave, and having a disability pass were statistically significantly associated with higher odds of reporting financial toxicity. Conclusion: Financial toxicity is present in about half of German sarcoma patients, making it a relevant quality of life topic for patients and decision-makers.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)187-196
Number of pages10
JournalSupportive care in cancer
Volume30
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 34247310
ORCID /0000-0001-9654-2207/work/142254159

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Burden, Cancer, Financial difficulties, Financial toxicity, Germany, Sarcoma