Resource utilization and cost of diarrhea-related hospitalizations among cancer patients in Jordan.

PURPOSE

Diarrhea is a common complication that can lead to hospitalization in cancer patients. Few studies evaluated its impact on resource utilization and cost. Our objective was to evaluate the resource utilization and costs associated with hospital admission due to diarrhea in cancer patients.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study at a comprehensive cancer center in Jordan. We included adult cancer patients with primary admission diagnosis of diarrhea, between January 2022 and December 2023. Patients were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision. Resources evaluated included hospital length of stay and admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Costs in US$ were estimated based on reports from the finance department, reflecting the payers' perspective, which provided total admission costs, as well as costs of medications, laboratory tests, and procedures. Descriptive analysis was used to report the results.

RESULTS

During the study period, 390 patients were admitted for diarrhea. Mean age was 56 ± 14 (SD) years and 57% were females. Median(IQR) hospital length of stay was 4 (2-7) days, and 34 (9%) patients required ICU admission. The median (IQR) total cost per admission was US$2636 (1441-6132), while median (IQR) cost for ICU admissions was US$10,628(5759-17,235). Laboratory tests had the highest cost, (US$975, 537-1813), followed by medications (US$552, 241-1621) and procedures (US$251, 139-576).

CONCLUSION

Diarrhea among cancer patients is associated with resource utilization and costs. Laboratory tests and medications accounted for the highest proportion of the cost. Future studies should identify strategies to prevent such complications and to reduce cost.