Resource Use and Costs Associated to the Initial Phase of Treatment for Patients with Colorectal Cancer Receiving Post-Surgery Chemotherapy: A Cost Analysis from a Healthcare Perspective

Mina  Nejati; Moaven  Razavi; Iraj  Harirchi; Marzieh  Zanganeh; Gholamreza  Salari; Seyed Mosa  Tabatabaee

doi:10.18502/ijph.v50i9.7062

Mina Nejati The Cancer Institute at Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Moaven Razavi The Schneider Institutes for Health Policy at the Heller School of Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA
Iraj Harirchi Deputy of Medical Affairs, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
Marzieh Zanganeh Deputy of Medical Affairs, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
Gholamreza Salari Iran Small Businesses and Industrial Parks Organization, Qazvin, Iran
Seyed Mosa Tabatabaee Deputy of Medical Affairs, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v50i9.7062

Keywords: Colorectal cancer; Costs; Direct medical costs; Resource use

Abstract

Background: To estimate the resource use and costs associated to the initial phase of treatment for colorectal cancer in Iran.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using routinely collected data within Electronic Health Records System (SEPAS), a national database representing public hospitals in Iran between March 20, 2016 and March 19, 2017. Primary end points included healthcare resource use, direct medical and non-medical costs of care in the 12-month study period.

Results: The study population included 657 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent surgery and the follow-up chemotherapy. We estimated a total direct cost of $21,407 per patient. The results indicated that direct medical costs were primarily driven by inpatient hospital care, followed by surgery, chemotherapy, and diagnostic services.

Conclusion: The initial 12-month of treatment for colorectal cancer, including surgery and the follow-up chemotherapy, is resource intensive. The total direct costs associated to the disease are remarkable, with Inpatient hospital services being the main contributor followed by surgery and chemotherapy.