Descriptive study on the lost productivity in breast cancer patients
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6542 Background: There is a paucity of data assessing the potential impact of breast cancer diagnosis on the productivity of affected women. The objective was to identify and quantify lost productivity, health utilities and quality of life experienced in women diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods: A consecutive cross-sectional cohort of women with breast cancer (at any stage) attending outpatient clinics at Mount Sinai Hospital/Princess Margaret Hospital were eligible and consented to participate in the study. Women completed questionnaires assessing demographic and disease related information, work productivity and activity impairment utility (EQ5D VAS) and quality of life (FACT-B). Results: Data from 103 patients age 56.5 ± 11.9 years (mean +SD) were collection. Distribution of stage at diagnosis was as follows: 0 (31%), I (26%), II (10%), III (5%), IV (17%), unknown (11%). Time since diagnosis was 30.0 ± 39.1 months. Most women had recently been on active treatment for their breast cancer: chemotherapy (47%), hormone manipulation (23%), herceptin (6%), radiation (27%) and unknown (15%). 9% of women had metastatic disease, 35% had an income between $0 and $30,000. 58% of women were working full time for pay before their diagnosis, whereas only 19% were working full time for pay at the time of the assessment. At the time of the assessment, 18% were on disability leave. 8.7% of the women retired between the times of their diagnosis to the current assessment. Of those still working, a mean of 8.7 ± 11.6 days were missed from work in the previous 30 days due to problems related to breast cancer. The average number of days that employed patients actually worked (N=27) was 16.0 ± 9.0 days (range 4–30 days). 8% of patients required paid health care assistance during the past 4 weeks. 44% of patients had a spouse as an unpaid caregiver, followed by child/parent (20%) and friend (13%). Mean overall health rated by the respondents using the EQ5D VAS was 73.2 ± 16.3. The FACT-B mean was 68.0 ± 12.5 (range 27 to 98). Conclusion: Breast cancer negatively impacts work productivity and overall activity. The significant use of both paid and unpaid assistance would amount to significant societal costs which are currently not included in most cost-effectiveness analyses. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
