title: A retrospective analysis illustrating the substantial clinical and economic burden of prostate cancer.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the treatment patterns and resource utilization of various prostate cancer treatments, and quantify the economic and clinical impact of each. In a retrospective analysis of medical and pharmacy claims between 2000 and 2005, using the PharMetrics database, male patients aged > or =40 years with prostate cancer diagnosis were identified. The costs of medical and prostate cancer-related expenditures for the treatment options were determined for three periods: from diagnosis to first treatment, during and after treatment. A total of 9035 patients were included. The mean age of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer was 61.4 years. Patients aged 50-59 years represented the highest proportion at 51%. The majority received some form of treatment. Watchful waiting (WW) was the primary means of management for 30%. The average 2-year cost for WW was $24 809 and for active treatment was $59, 286. Surgery was the most common treatment among younger men. Non-cancer-related costs were similar among those receiving treatment or WW, but prostate cancer costs were over five times greater in the treated patients. With or without treatment, prostate cancer is a significant clinical and economic burden to society. New strategies for treatment or cancer prevention could play a role in reducing this burden.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urologic Oncology, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA.
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eaddy
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Kruep
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017281:Cost of Illness; D016208:Databases, Factual; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000191:economics; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000191:economics; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies