PCN487 COST OF PROSTATE CANCER AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN EGYPT - A PATIENT PERSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PC) is the fourth most common cancer type in Egypt with an incidence rate of about 4.5% among male cancer patients (GLOBOCAN, 2012). Despite having a low mortality rate, prostate cancer greatly impacts the patients’ quality of life (QoL) (Adam et al., 2018). The aim of the current work is to evaluate the cost of illness (COI) and QoL of Egyptian patients diagnosed with PC in Cairo-based public sector cancer centers. A cross-sectional study was performed, where 59 patients were interviewed using a two-sectioned questionnaire. The first set of questions aimed at direct medical, direct non-medical and indirect costs encountered by patients as a consequence of their disease and/or treatment. The second set was obtained using the EQ-5D3L instrument and aimed at assessing patients’ QoL. Our results have revealed that the mean total economic burden of PC was 40,609 EGP/patient/annum. The majority of which was categorized under direct medical costs (33,878 EGP) for treatment or follow-up purposes. Indirect costs averaged 4,872 EGP. Direct non-medical costs were no more than 4.5% of the total cost encountered by patients. Regarding patients’ QoL, our results have demonstrated that PC patients suffered most from severe pain (39%), and severe disease-related anxiety (31%). The overall QoL as perceived by patients was described as “unsatisfactory” by 25.5%, “moderate” by 45.5%, and only 29% had an overall “good” QoL. Despite of the fact that 91% of our patients were covered by different insurance plans, direct medical costs represented the major economic burden affecting those patients. Hence, expanding coverage to minimize such a financial burden is recommended. Moreover, our results suggest that more aggressive pain management programs, in addition to psychological support might warrant a better QoL for Egyptian patients diagnosed with PC.