Impact of skeletal complications on total medical care costs among patients with bone metastases of lung cancer

Abstract

Introduction: Previous studies have estimated the costs of skeletal-related events (SREs) for patients with bone metastases of solid tumors by tallying costs for services specifically attributable to these events. This approach may underestimate costs if SREs indirectly increase use of other services.

Methods: This is a retrospective observational study using a large health insurance claims database. Patients with bone metastases of lung cancer who experienced > or =1 SRE were matched to similar patients without SREs based on propensity scores. Kaplan-Meier estimated total medical care costs were compared for propensity-matched samples of patients with SREs and without SREs.

Results: We identified 534 patients with lung cancer and bone metastases, including 295 (55%) with > or =1 SRE. After matching, there were 162 patients each in the SRE and no-SRE groups with mean follow-up of 5.3 and 3.9 months, respectively. In the SRE group, costs of treatment of SREs were $9,480 (95% CI $7,625 to $11,374) per patient. Total medical care costs were $27,982 (95% CI $15,921 to $40,625) greater for SRE versus no-SRE patients (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: The costs of SREs in patients with lung cancer and bone metastases are substantial and potentially greater than previously estimated.