The Financial Toxicity of Hepatopancreatobiliary Cancer: An Analysis of the 1997-2023 National Health Interview Survey

Patients with hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) cancers may experience financial toxicity as a result of diagnosis and treatment. We characterized the prevalence and predictors of financial toxicity among United States (U.S.) HPB cancer patients using the National Health Interview Survey. Outcomes were delaying medical care due to cost or being unable to afford necessary medical care within the past 12 months. Prevalence was estimated in univariable analyses and sociodemographic predictors were identified in multivariable analyses. Among 5,630,270 U.S. adults with self-reported HPB cancer, 567,531 (10.1%) delayed medical care due to cost and 474,632 (8.4%) were unable to afford necessary medical care within the past 12 months. Uninsured patients were more likely to delay care due to cost (aOR 14.38, 95% CI 4.81-43.01) or to be unable to afford necessary medical care (aOR 19.93, 95% CI 6.45-61.55). Non-White race (aOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.06-3.81) was a risk factor for delaying care due to cost, whereas household income < 200% of the federal poverty level (aOR 2.69, 95% CI 1.20-6.04) was associated with inability to afford necessary medical care. Patients who had received surgery within the past 12 months were not at higher odds of either financial toxicity outcome. Targeted interventions to mitigate financial toxicity among at-risk patients are warranted to alleviate the financial burden of HPB cancer care.