OBJECTIVES: Lung cancer caused substantial burden of disease. The average medical expenditure per clinical visit (AME/visit) seems relatively stable and comparable in economic burden estimation. However, AME/visit for lung cancer is poorly available in China. The survey aimed to quantify AME/visit for lung cancer diagnosis and treatment from 2002 to 2011.

METHODS: From 2012 to 2014, a hospital-based multicenter retrospective survey was conducted in 37 hospitals (27 tertiary ones) in 13 provinces across China, as a part of the CanSPUC program. For each eligible lung cancer patient diagnosed from 2002 to 2011, clinical information and medical expenditure data were extracted in a structured questionnaire. All expenditure data were reported in Chinese Yuan (CNY, 1CNY=0.158 USD) and discounted to year of 2011 using consumer price index in China.

RESULTS: Of the included 15 437 lung cancer patients, a median diagnostic age was 59.5 years and 14.8% patients were at stage I. The AME/visit was estimated as 21 843 CNY (95% CI: 21 518-22 168), with average annual growth rate of 2.9% (P < 0.001) from 2002 to 2011. The AME/visit by region was 21 913 CNY in east, 24 421 CNY in central, and 19 342 CNY in west (P < 0.001). The AME/visit differed among clinical stages, with 23 326 CNY for stage I, 20 985 CNY for stage II, 21 660 CNY for stage III, and 21 812 CNY for stage IV (P < 0.001). The AME/visit was 22 655 CNY for squamous cell carcinoma, with 24 369 CNY for adenocarcinoma (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: The AME/visit for lung cancer in China was on increase in the past decade. The findings on AME/visit in local could support evaluating the efficiency of health-care reform policy and better direct the interventions both in clinical and public health areas.