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

• Main Authors: Mina Nejati (Author), Moaven Razavi (Author), Iraj Harirchi (Author), Marzieh Zanganeh (Author), Gholamreza Salari (Author), Seyed Mosa Tabatabaee (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 2021-09-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.18502/ijph.v50i9.7062; 2251-6085; 2251-6093
• Keywords: Colorectal cancer; Costs; Direct medical costs; Resource use; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: Iranian Journal of Public Health, Vol 50, Iss 9 (2021)

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.