Greater financial toxicity correlates with increased psychological distress and lower quality of life among Turkish cancer patients

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the factors that influence financial toxicity and its effects on both quality of life and psychological distress in Turkish cancer patients.

Methods: Data from 400 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at a public university in Turkey was analyzed. The Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST), Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression and Anxiety (PHQ-4), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) were used to measure financial toxicity, psychological distress, and health quality of life, respectively.

Results: Patients' median COST score was 22 (SD = 10.1; range: 1-44) and was consistent with mild financial toxicity. Financial toxicity was associated with lower education level (p < 0.001), lower monthly income (p < 0.001), being a woman (p = 0.021), living in another city (p = 0.012), and previous cancer surgery (p = 0.02). A negative and statistically significant correlation was found between financial toxicity and quality of life (r = - 0.139; p = 0.005) and psychological distress (r = - 0.398; p < 0.001).

Conclusion: This investigation demonstrated that financial toxicity was a significant determinant of quality of life and psychological distress.

Keywords: Cancer; Chemotherapy; Financial toxicity; Psychological distress; Quality of life.