Financial toxicity and health-related quality of life in long-term survivors of acute promyelocytic leukaemia

Objectives We aimed to investigate the association between financial toxicity (FT) and the health-related quality of life profile of long-term survivors of acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) treated within a universal healthcare system. Methods We evaluated FT using the financial difficulties item of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). We also compared the prevalence of clinically important problems and symptoms between the survivors of APL with or without FT, using evidence-based thresholds for the EORTC QLQ-C30. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to explore potential risk factors associated with FT. Results Overall, 352 long-term survivors of APL, with a median age of 53.9 years and a median time since diagnosis of 12.2 years, were analysed. Of these, 71 (20.2%) reported having FT. The prevalence of clinically important problems and symptoms was generally higher across most EORTC QLQ-C30 scales for those survivors who reported FT. The three largest differences between patients with and without FT were observed for emotional functioning (+35.4percentage points), dyspnoea (+33.1percentage points) and physical functioning (+27.0percentage points). The presence of FT was independently associated with having comorbidities and not receiving a salary/pension. Conclusions These findings suggest that even many years after being diagnosed, one-fifth of long-term survivors of APL experience FT. Interventions to assist with employment may be critical to minimise the risk of FT in the most vulnerable survivors.