OBJECTIVES

: Limited data are available regarding the burden of skeletal-related events (SREs) in Latin America. The purpose of this study was to estimate the current and future economic burden of SREs in adult patients with cancer in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico.

METHODS

: Model inputs were informed by a comprehensive literature review and expert opinion. Country-specific inputs were used, where possible. For each country, we estimated the prevalence of patients with bone metastasis from prostate cancer, breast cancer, and other solid tumors, as well as patients with multiple myeloma and bone lesions, and the annual number of SREs for each patient group. Aggregate SRE management costs for vertebral fractures, non-vertebral fractures, radiation to bone, spinal cord compression, and surgery to bone were obtained from country-specific sources. Productivity losses were also calculated. Costs were expressed in 2020 USD for the total annual burden, annual burden per 1,000 at risk, and projected five-year burden.

RESULTS

: The estimated total number of SREs was 251,503 in 2020, resulting in a total annual cost of approximately $1.4 billion. The projected five-year cost was approximately $6.9 billion. Annual costs were highest in Brazil ($779.1 million), followed by Mexico ($281.8 million), Argentina ($174.6 million), and Colombia ($120.1 million). The average annual burden per 1,000 at risk was greatest in Brazil ($3.6 million), followed by Mexico ($3.4 million), Colombia ($2.9 million), and Argentina ($2.7 million).

CONCLUSIONS

: Over the next five years, patients will experience approximately 1,282,594 SREs in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. Based on expert input and market research, 35%-70% of patients with advanced solid tumors currently do not receive treatment for the prevention of SREs. Early detection of bone metastases and SREs, and the use of the most effective preventative treatments are needed to decrease the clinical and economic burden of SREs.