Department of Urology, Ludwig-Maximilians University, University of Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
Kidney Cancer Research Alliance (KCCure), Alexandria, VA, USA.
World J Urol. 2021 Jul;39(7):2559-2565. doi: 10.1007/s00345-020-03476-6. Epub 2020 Oct 22.
To ascertain renal cell carcinoma (RCC) financial toxicity on COVID-19 during the COVID-19 crisis as patients are struggling with therapeutic and financial implications.
An online survey was conducted from March 22 to March 25, 2020. It included baseline demographic, clinicopathologic, treatment-related information, anxiety levels related to COVID-19, questions related to financial concerns about COVID-19 as well as the validated 11-item COST measure.
Five-hundred-and-thirty-nine patients (39%:58% male:female) from 14 countries responded. 23% of the patients did not feel in control of their financial situation but 8% reported being very satisfied with their finances. The median COST score was 21.5 (range 1-44). Metastatic patients who have not started systemic therapy had a COST score (19.8 range 2-41) versus patients on oral systemic therapy had a COST score (23.9 range 4-44). Patients in follow-up after surgery had a median COST score at 20.8 (range 1-40). A low COST scores correlated (p < 0.001) were female gender (r = 0.108), younger age (r = 0.210), urban living situation (r = 0.68), a lower educational level (r = 0.155), lower income (r = 0.165), higher anxiety about acquiring COVID-19 (r = 0.198), having metastatic disease (r = 0.073) and a higher distress score about cancer progression (r = 0.224).
Our data highlight severe financial impact of COVID-19. Acknowledging financial hardship and thorough counseling of cancer patients should be part of the conversation during the pandemic. Treatment and surveillance of RCC patients might have to be adjusted to contemplate financial and medical needs.
在 COVID-19 危机期间，确定肾癌 (RCC) 患者因 COVID-19 而面临的治疗和经济影响带来的财务压力。
该研究于 2020 年 3 月 22 日至 3 月 25 日进行了一项在线调查。调查包括基本人口统计学、临床病理学、治疗相关信息、与 COVID-19 相关的焦虑水平、与 COVID-19 相关的财务问题以及经过验证的 11 项 COST 措施。
来自 14 个国家的 539 名患者（39%：58%男性：女性）做出了回应。23%的患者表示对自己的财务状况感到无法掌控，但也有 8%的患者表示对自己的财务状况非常满意。COST 评分中位数为 21.5（范围 1-44）。未开始全身治疗的转移性患者的 COST 评分为 19.8（范围 2-41），而正在接受口服全身治疗的患者的 COST 评分为 23.9（范围 4-44）。接受手术后随访的患者的 COST 评分为 20.8（范围 1-40）。COST 评分较低（p<0.001）与女性（r=0.108）、年龄较小（r=0.210）、城市居住环境（r=0.68）、较低的教育水平（r=0.155）、较低的收入（r=0.165）、较高的感染 COVID-19 的焦虑（r=0.198）、患有转移性疾病（r=0.073）和癌症进展的困扰评分较高（r=0.224）相关。
我们的数据强调了 COVID-19 带来的严重财务影响。在大流行期间，承认财务困难并对癌症患者进行全面咨询应成为对话的一部分。可能需要调整 RCC 患者的治疗和监测，以兼顾财务和医疗需求。
