Longitudinal changes in financial burden in patients with colorectal cancer treated with curative intent: Primary results of EAQ162CD.

Abstract

6597 Background: We prospectively assessed financial burden (FB) due to treatment costs among patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) recruited by NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) sites. Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed CRC treated with curative intent enrolled through NCORP sites and completed the FACIT Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) instrument at 0-, 3, 6, and 12 months. Higher COST score (range 0-44) indicates greater financial well-being. Effects of demographic, clinical, self-efficacy and safety net affiliation on FB were assessed using linear mixed modeling with compound symmetry covariance structure to account for measurement correlation from the same subject. Results: In 450 patients (mean age 61, 47% female, 84% white, 64% colon, 31% rectal) attrition was comparable across demographics, clinical variables and baseline FB. Higher COST score was linearly correlated with time. Increasing age, income less than $60,000 (vs. less than $29,999), higher self-efficacy, and higher neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES) predicted a higher COST score; these effects were not moderated by time. Chemotherapy receipt, insurance type, and treatment at a safety net hospital did not predict COST score. Conclusions: Among those with CRC treated with curative intent in community settings, FB improves over the 12 months post diagnosis. Individual and neighborhood level social determinants of health are protective from financial fragility.[Table: see text]