Association Between Financial Burden, Quality of Life, and Mental Health Among Those With Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in the United States

In the United States, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) care costs are substantial and can often lead to significant financial burden. In a recent study, Khera et al(1) found that the national average out-of-pocket (OOP) spending for households with members who have ASCVD is approximate to$2227, including $722 for insurance premiums, with 1 in 4 low-income families having >20% of their family income diverted toward unplanned healthcare expenditures. The potential consequences of financial burden are an emerging area of interest in health services and outcomes research. Currently, there is little information about the relationship between the financial burden of healthcare for patients with ASCVD and their health-related quality of life (HRQoL), well-being, and psychological health. Accordingly, we determined the relationship between healthcare financial burden and patient-reported HRQoL, self-perception of health, psychological distress, and risk of depression in a nationally representative US adult population with established ASCVD.