OBJECTIVES

GC is the fifth most common cancer globally; it is important to understand the impact of advanced disease on patient and caregiver productivity, HCRU, and QOL.

METHODS

Real-world data were collected (Nov 2016-March 2017) through a cross-sectional survey administered to physicians and patients in Canada and EU5 (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK). Physicians provided patient data regarding disease history, characteristics, HCRU, and caregiver burden. Health utility and overall health were assessed with the EQ-5D utility index and visual analog scale (VAS), while QOL was assessed with the FACT-G.

RESULTS

265 physicians provided information for 950 patients from Canada and EU5 who were currently receiving first-line active drug treatment for advanced GC. The median age was 65 years (range=25–90), 65% were male, 54% had an ECOG of 1, and more had gastric vs. gastroesophageal cancer (68% vs. 32%) primary site of disease. Most patients (66%) were retired, unemployed, or on long-term sick leave; 19% of these were unemployed due to advanced GC. 34% of patients had caregivers, receiving an average of 48.9 hours caring/week from any caregiver (SD=47.7). Most caregivers were partners/spouses (70%), unable to work or working less to provide care (69%).

Patients made an average of 8.6 visits to an oncologist (SD=5.0) during the prior 12 months, with 0.8 GC-related hospitalisations (SD=1.4). Relative to EU5 general population norms for ages 65–74 (EQ-5D index, 0.78–0.90; VAS, 67.8–77.3), patients had worse health utility (mean EQ-5D index score= 0.71; SD=0.29) and overall health (mean VAS score=58.3; SD=18.9). Compared to the FACT-G US population norm (80.1) EU5 patients had lower QOL (58.7 (SD=16.2)).

CONCLUSIONS

Advanced GC is associated with productivity loss for patients and caregivers, significant HCRU, and meaningful reductions in patients’ QOL. Novel treatment options are needed to reduce the overall burden of this disease.