The Association between Charlson Comorbidity Index and the Medical Care Cost of Cancer: A Retrospective Study.
BACKGROUND
This study compared comorbidity-related medical care cost associated with different types of cancer, by examining breast (N = 287), colon (N = 272), stomach (N = 614), and lung (N = 391) cancer patients undergoing surgery.


METHODS
Using medical benefits claims data, we calculated Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and total medical cost. The effect of comorbidity on the medical care cost was investigated using multiple regression and logistic regression models and controlling for demographic characteristics and cancer stage.


RESULTS
The treatment costs incurred by stomach and colon cancer patients were 1.05- and 1.01-fold higher, respectively, in patients with higher CCI determined. For breast cancer, the highest costs were seen in those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the increase in cost reduced as CCI increased. Colon cancer patients with diabetes mellitus and a CCI = 1 score had the highest medical costs. The lowest medical costs were incurred by lung cancer patients with COPD and a CCI = 2 score.


CONCLUSIONS
The comorbidities had a major impact on the use of medical resources, with chronic comorbidities incurring the highest medical costs. The results indicate that comorbidities affect cancer outcomes and that they must be considered strategies mitigating cancer's economic and social impact.
Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-705, Republic of Korea.
Seok-Jun
SJ
Yoon
Department of Economics, Economics Research Institute, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-705, Republic of Korea.
Eun-Jung
EJ
Kim
Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Dong-gu, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea.
Hyun-Ju
HJ
Seo
Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
In-Hwan
IH
Oh
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018803:Models, Economic; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*