L. W. Young1, A. Feeley1, P. Awad1, S. Shebrain1, G. Munene1,2 1Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, USA 2Western Michigan Cancer Center, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
Introduction: Despite increased recognition of treatment-associated costs (financial toxicity) in oncology, there is limited understanding of the patient and treatment-level characteristics related to financial toxicity in gastrointestinal oncology surgery (GI) patients. Our aim is to identify risk factors for financial toxicity amongst GI patients.
Methods: This is a single-institution cross-sectional survey of GI patients. Financial toxicity was measured via the Likert-type 11-item comprehensive score for financial toxicity (COST) instrument. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify patient and treatment factors associated with worsening financial toxicity.
Results: A total of 65 patients were included, 34 (52%) of which were female. Most of the patients underwent pancreatic surgery (n=27, 42.5%). 35 (53.8%) patients reported high levels of financial distress. Higher financial distress was associated with insurance type, emergency department visits and marital status (p<0.05).
Conclusion: In GI patients, specific variables are associated with increased levels of financial toxicity. These variables may prove useful in identifying patients who might benefit from financial navigation interventions.