THE INVISIBLE BURDEN OF GLIOBLASTOMA - COMBINING LITERATURE REVIEW WITH PATIENT AND CAREGIVER QUALITATIVE INSIGHTS
Author(s)
Cuiying Ma, MSc1, Mohit Joshi, MPham2, Florence Bianic, MSc3, Sandrine Courtes, PhD4.
1Syneos Health, London, United Kingdom, 2Syneos Health, Gurugram, India, 3Syneos Health, Paris, France, 4Lab2BIOTECH, Paris, France.
1Syneos Health, London, United Kingdom, 2Syneos Health, Gurugram, India, 3Syneos Health, Paris, France, 4Lab2BIOTECH, Paris, France.
OBJECTIVES: Glioblastoma (GBM), the most common primary brain tumour in adults, is associated with substantial economic and societal burden. While direct medical costs are well characterized, indirect costs and broader societal impacts remain underrepresented. This study synthesized evidence on the economic burden of GBM and identified evidence gaps, further informed by qualitative input from patients and caregivers, with a particular focus on better capturing and contextualizing hidden indirect costs.
METHODS: A targeted literature review of English-language publications from the past 12 years (up to 2026) was conducted, including peer-reviewed articles and conference proceedings. Studies reporting per-patient cost-of-illness outcomes in adult GBM populations in the US or Europe were included. Extracted outcomes included direct medical costs, indirect costs (productivity loss, informal care), and key cost drivers. Concurrently, an exploratory qualitative consultation with patients and caregivers in France was conducted to capture lived experiences, comprehensively characterizing the underreported indirect costs.
RESULTS: Twelve studies (9 cost-of-illness studies, 3 reviews) were identified; most adopted a healthcare payer perspective and focused exclusively on direct costs, with three incorporating indirect costs. Literature confirmed that first-year direct medical costs were substantial, averaging $100,000-$200,000 per patient in the US and €50,000-€80,000 in Europe, primarily driven by inpatient care (50-75% of total costs). Indirect costs were considerable but inconsistently reported. Productivity losses and caregiver burden were estimated at ~€100,000 per patient and may equal or exceed direct costs. Caregiver involvement exceeded 11.7 hours/day, reflecting substantial informal care requirements. Qualitative findings revealed unmeasured societal impacts, including income loss, caregiver employment disruption, and deep family isolation that traditional economic models fail to capture.
CONCLUSIONS: GBM imposes a high economic burden driven largely by underreported indirect costs, but current evidence overlooks broader societal impacts, highlighting the need for qualitative work to inform future patient- and caregiver-centred research.
METHODS: A targeted literature review of English-language publications from the past 12 years (up to 2026) was conducted, including peer-reviewed articles and conference proceedings. Studies reporting per-patient cost-of-illness outcomes in adult GBM populations in the US or Europe were included. Extracted outcomes included direct medical costs, indirect costs (productivity loss, informal care), and key cost drivers. Concurrently, an exploratory qualitative consultation with patients and caregivers in France was conducted to capture lived experiences, comprehensively characterizing the underreported indirect costs.
RESULTS: Twelve studies (9 cost-of-illness studies, 3 reviews) were identified; most adopted a healthcare payer perspective and focused exclusively on direct costs, with three incorporating indirect costs. Literature confirmed that first-year direct medical costs were substantial, averaging $100,000-$200,000 per patient in the US and €50,000-€80,000 in Europe, primarily driven by inpatient care (50-75% of total costs). Indirect costs were considerable but inconsistently reported. Productivity losses and caregiver burden were estimated at ~€100,000 per patient and may equal or exceed direct costs. Caregiver involvement exceeded 11.7 hours/day, reflecting substantial informal care requirements. Qualitative findings revealed unmeasured societal impacts, including income loss, caregiver employment disruption, and deep family isolation that traditional economic models fail to capture.
CONCLUSIONS: GBM imposes a high economic burden driven largely by underreported indirect costs, but current evidence overlooks broader societal impacts, highlighting the need for qualitative work to inform future patient- and caregiver-centred research.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
EE376
Topic
Economic Evaluation, Study Approaches
Topic Subcategory
Cost/Cost of Illness/Resource Use Studies, Work & Home Productivity - Indirect Costs
Disease
Neurological Disorders, No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas, Oncology