Introduction: Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of death among cancer patients worldwide. This study aimed to estimate the clinical, economic, and social burdens of stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in private and public healthcare centers in Mexico, utilizing real-world evidence.
Methods: The study population included patients >18 years of age diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC who received cancer treatment at the Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI (IMSS), the Centro Médico Nacional "20 de Noviembre" (ISSSTE), the Mexican Institute of Respiratory Diseases (INER), and the Medical Center ABC (American British Cowdray) from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020. The analysis included evaluation of epidemiological data, treatment regimens, and clinical outcomes, and emphasized pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, including detailed follow-up investigations, as part of comprehensive clinical management. Additionally, the study assessed the social burden through variables such as working-age absenteeism and presenteeism and caregiver productivity loss, as well as economic burden, considering both clinical and social components, with costs adjusted to 2022 Mexican pesos (MXN) values.
Results: A total of 188 patients with metastatic NSCLC were studied. The main type of NSCLC tumor found in the sample was adenocarcinoma (81%). Treatment regimens included pharmacological treatments (78%), non-pharmacological treatments (25%), and palliative care (24%). Complications were present in 73% of the cohort, while 60% presented adverse events. Clinical management costs of up to MXN1,001,579 per patient in the public sector and MXN2,140,604 in the private sector were reported. It was estimated that working-age patients lose 84-335 days yearly due to absenteeism and presenteeism, while caregivers report a productivity loss equivalent to 13-30 days due to the management of NSCLC patients. These indirect costs of NSCLC contribute to the social burden. A working-age patient with stage IV disease is associated with an average indirect cost of MXN49,731-178,287 in public institutions, while in private institutions, the cost elevates to MXN438,103.
Conclusions: This study highlights the substantial clinical, economic, and social burdens of stage IV NSCLC in Mexico, revealing significant disparities between public and private healthcare sectors. It underscores the urgent need for standardized practices and equitable care across all systems.
This study examined the effects of advanced lung cancer (stage IV non-small cell lung cancer [NSCLC]) on patients in Mexico, focusing on the health, financial, and caregiver burdens. Researchers studied adults over 18 years of age undergoing cancer treatment at four medical centers across Mexico, analyzing treatment costs and time lost due to illness. All costs were updated to 2022 Mexican pesos (MXN) values. Treating one patient for 1 year can cost up to MXN 1 million in public hospitals and more than MXN 2 million in private hospitals. Patients might lose about 84–335 days of work annually, with caregivers losing 13–30 days. These lost workdays significantly impact finances, costing approximately MXN50,000–178,000 per patient per year in public hospitals and MXN438,000 in private hospitals. The study concludes that understanding these costs can help create better treatment plans, improving patient care and reducing financial burdens. By aligning treatment strategies across public and private healthcare settings, patients could benefit from more consistent and effective care, potentially leading to better health outcomes and reducing the overall impact of the disease on their lives and the broader healthcare system.
© 2024. The Author(s).