Illness-associated productivity costs among women with employer-sponsored insurance and newly diagnosed breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Determine lost work time and job attrition for incident breast cancer (BC).


METHODS
The cases were employed women, aged 18 to 64, with BC identified by a validated algorithm between 1999 and 2005, from claims (MarketScan) and attendance databases. Controls without cancer were matched 3:1 on age, comorbidity, and index year.


RESULTS
First-year mean disability days were 60 (cases, N = 880) versus 5 (controls, N = 2640) (P < 0.001). The first-year disability costs were $4900 for cases versus $385 for controls (P < 0.001). In years 2 through 4, the disability days and associated costs were similar for the cases versus controls. After 4 years, 56.4% of cases were still enrolled in the employer-sponsored insurance programs compared to 6.5% of controls (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The lost work associated with BC is substantial in the first year after diagnosis. Employee retention is much higher for BC cases versus controls.
Meadows
Eric S
ES
Department of Global Health Outcomes, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Ind 46285, USA. emeadows@lilly.com
Johnston
Stephen S
SS
Cao
Zhun
Z
Foley
Kathleen A
KA
Pohl
Gerhardt M
GM
Johnston
Joseph A
JA
Ramsey
Scott D
SD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004526:Efficiency; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement / Q000191:economics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult