OBJECTIVES: Globally, breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently occurring cancer with an estimated incidence of 12.5%. The current study evaluated the disease burden, treatment patterns, healthcare resource utilization, and associated costs in all BC diagnosed patients and in a subset of patients treated with cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitors as captured in a local claims data source.

METHODS: This secondary database retrospective cohort study, using insurance e‑claims data from Dubai Real-World Database was conducted from 01 January 2014 to 30 September 2021 included female patients aged ≥18years with at least 1 diagnosis claim for BC and continuous enrolment during the index period.

RESULTS: Overall, there were 8,031 patients diagnosed with BC, with age information available for 1,960 patients (median age: 49.0 years); majority (68.1%) in 41-60 years of age group. During post-index period, BC-specific cost contributed to 84% of the overall disease burden in all BC patients. Two independent factors, namely in-patient cost (USD 16,956.2) and medication cost (USD 10,251.3) during the 12-month follow-up period, contributed majorly to the BC-specific cost. In the subgroup of patients where CDK4/6 inhibitors were part of the regimen (n=174), CDK4/6 inhibitors were commonly prescribed in combination with aromatase inhibitors (41.4%) and estrogen receptor antagonists (17.9%). CDK4/6 inhibitors were also prescribed as monotherapy in 17.1% patients. In BC patients, healthcare costs due to events of special interest (n=1,843) like cardiovascular events, hepatic events, and neutropenia, contributed to 17% of the overall disease cost burden.

CONCLUSIONS: Study reports significant cost burden in patients with BC, with BC-specific cost contributing for 84% of the overall disease cost burden. In-patient cost and medication cost were the major contributors to BC-specific cost. The study findings can inform key healthcare stakeholders (payers and providers) on future policy measures aiming to reduce the cost burden in BC patients.