Palliative treatment of colorectal cancer in Germany: cost of care and quality of life

Emmert M, Pohl-Dernick K, Wein A, Dörje F, Merkel S, Boxberger F, Männlein G, Joost R, Harich HD, Lamberti C, Neurath M, Hohenberger W, Thiemann R, Schöffski O (2012)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2012

Journal

European Journal of Health Economics Springer Verlag (Germany)

Publisher: Springer Verlag (Germany)

Book Volume: 14

Pages Range: 629 - 638

Journal Issue: 4

URI: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10198-012-0408-5

DOI: 10.1007/s10198-012-0408-5

Abstract

Introduction

To estimate the costs of palliative care for colorectal cancer (CRC) from the perspective of German statutory health insurance and to measure the patients’ quality of life (QoL) for a 2-year time period.

Methods

A prospective observational multicentre study was carried out to estimate the direct costs of care over a 2-year period. Case report forms, medical records, and claims data were all applied to document medical and resource usage data in real-world settings. QoL was measured by using the Short Form-12 Health Survey.

Results

In total 101 patients (mean age 67.09 ± 11.13 years, 68 % male) from 12 different settings were included. The mean costs per patient during the 1st and 2nd years were calculated to be 42,361€ and 32,023€, respectively. Highest mean costs were calculated for the second quarter, which reached an amount of 12,900€ (95 % CI: 11,127€–14,673€). Mean physical summary scores and mean mental summary scores were 41.8 and 49.7, respectively.

Discussion

This is the first study assessing the costs of palliative care and the quality of life of patients with CRC in real-world health-care delivery in Germany. It could be shown that CRC treatment represents an enormous economic burden to the German health-care system. Increased efforts in promoting effective and efficient treatment options, or performance-based medication reimbursement schemes, might be helpful in reducing the costs.

 

Authors with CRIS profile

Martin Emmert Juniorprofessur für Versorgungsmanagement Katharina Pohl-Dernick Lehrstuhl für Betriebswirtschaftslehre, insbesondere Gesundheitsmanagement Axel Wein Medizinische Fakultät Frank Dörje Professur für Molekulare und Klinische Pharmazie Susanne Merkel Department of Surgery Robert Joost Apotheke des Universitätsklinikums Markus Neurath Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin I Werner Hohenberger Department of Surgery Oliver Schöffski Lehrstuhl für Betriebswirtschaftslehre, insbesondere Gesundheitsmanagement

Involved external institutions

Onkologie Hof - Medizinisches Versorgungszentrum GmbH DE Germany (DE) Klinikum Coburg DE Germany (DE) Hämatologie Gemeinschaftspraxis Forchheim DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Emmert, M., Pohl-Dernick, K., Wein, A., Dörje, F., Merkel, S., Boxberger, F.,... Schöffski, O. (2012). Palliative treatment of colorectal cancer in Germany: cost of care and quality of life. European Journal of Health Economics, 14(4), 629 - 638. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10198-012-0408-5

MLA:

Emmert, Martin, et al. "Palliative treatment of colorectal cancer in Germany: cost of care and quality of life." European Journal of Health Economics 14.4 (2012): 629 - 638.

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