Financial Toxicity-Related Factors in Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the incidence and related factors of financial toxicity among nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) patients, and propose strategies for improvement. Methods Nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients were recruited from December 2022 to June 2023 in Changsha, Hunan Province, China, using convenience sampling. A questionnaire survey focusing on financial toxicity among nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients was conducted. The assessment tools used in this study include Comprehensive Scores for Financial Toxicity Based on the Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (COST-PROM), Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ) and Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS). Results A total of 155 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients were included in the study. The incidence of financial toxicity among participants was found to be 65.8%, with an average COST scores of 22.45 ± 7.91. A significant negative correlation was showed between MCMQ scores and financial toxicity in patients (r= -0.235, p = 0.003), while a significant positive correlation was showed between the PSSS scores and financial toxicity (r = 0274, p = 0.001). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that personal monthly income, MCMQ scores and PSSS scores were related to the financial toxicity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. Conclusion This study revealed a high prevalence of financial toxicity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. Medical staffs need to identify the financial toxicity early and adopt appropriate strategies to help nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients return to work and guide them to choose positive medical coping modes and access greater social support.