OBJECTIVES : Out-of-pocket costs can represent a substantial burden for prostate cancer patients. These costs have not been measured in Quebec, even less in the context of a remote region. The objectives of this study were to describe out-of-pocket costs and investigate their determinants among patients living in a remote region of the province of Quebec.

METHODS: A cost-of-illness study was conducted between novembre 2017 and septembre 2018 with a sample of 167 prostate cancer patients who consulted at the out-patient clinic of Rouyn-Noranda hospital of the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue. We obtained data on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, treatments chosen and out-of-pocket costs through self-administered questionnaire and medical records. We examined the association between costs and several determinants using regression models.

RESULTS: Patients' mean age was 68.72 years; 72.8 % were retired, and 51.5 % reported total annual family incomes less than 40 000 $. The travel for medical visits represent the most significant out-of-pocket costs over a three-month period (mean: $396.74; SD: $1371.1; median: $300.8) followed by travel for non-medical visits (mean: $10.77; SD: $114.28; median: $15.6) and prescription drugs (mean: $ 75.86; SD: $1371.1 $; median: $63.8). The out-of-pocket costs incurred during the last 3 months represent an economic burden for 44.5% of patients. Age was significantly associated with increased likelihood of incurring costs (adjusted ẞ: 0.177; p = 0.036).

CONCLUSIONS: Out-of-pocket costs are modest but represent an economic burden for patients living in a remote region of Quebec. Age is associated with increases out-of-pocket costs.