Impact of financial toxicity on adults with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: an integrative review

Rev Bras Enferm. 2024 Aug 30;77Suppl 1(Suppl 1):e20240078. doi: 10.1590/0034-7167-2024-0078. eCollection 2024.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

Objectives: to identify the repercussions of financial toxicity on the lives of adult cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: an integrative review was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases, as well as the Virtual Health Library portal, in March 2023.

Results: out of 62 studies found, 13 were included for analysis. The primary repercussions of financial toxicity included difficulties in covering basic expenses such as food, housing, medication, transportation, and internet access; increased anxiety and concerns related to health and financial situations; reduction or absence of income; challenges in obtaining treatment or accessing healthcare services; rising expenses; and telemedicine as a less burdensome alternative.

Conclusions: the pandemic has exacerbated financial toxicity; therefore, healthcare teams must recognize it as an adverse event of oncological treatment and understand its potential to affect various aspects of patients' lives.

Objetivos:: identificar las repercusiones de la toxicidad financiera en la vida de pacientes adultos con cáncer durante la pandemia de COVID-19.

Métodos:: revisión integrativa realizada en las plataformas de datos PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase y en el portal de la Biblioteca Virtual en Salud en marzo de 2023.

Resultados:: de 62 estudios encontrados, 13 fueron incluídos para análisis. Las principales repercusiones de la toxicidad financiera fueron: dificultades para cubrir gastos básicos como alimentación, vivienda, medicamentos, transporte e internet; aumento de la ansiedad y preocupaciones relacionadas con la salud y la situación financiera; reducción o ausencia de ingresos; dificultad para obtener tratamiento o acceso a los servicios de salud; aumento de los gastos y telemedicina como alternativa menos costosa.

Conclusiones:: la pandemia ha intensificado la toxicidad financiera; por lo tanto, los equipos de salud necesitan reconocerla como un evento adverso del tratamiento oncológico y comprender que puede afectar diferentes ámbitos de la vida de los pacientes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19* / economics
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Cost of Illness
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms* / complications
  • Neoplasms* / economics
  • Neoplasms* / psychology
  • Pandemics* / economics
  • Pandemics* / prevention & control
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Telemedicine / economics