Current Financial Toxicity Status and Influencing Factors in Patients Undergoing Enterostomy: A Cross-sectional Study

Aim and Objective The aim of this study is to explore the financial toxicity status of enterostomy patients and analyse the influencing factors in Shandong Province, China. Background Post-enterostomy patients require long-term use of stoma products, which presents significant financial challenges for patients. Identifying the factors contributing to this burden is crucial for developing targeted interventions and health insurance policies to improve patients' quality of life. Methods This study used the general data questionnaire, the comprehensive financial toxicity score scale of patient-reported outcomes, the understanding social support scale and the psychological resilience scale, 190 patients with enterostomy from three tertiary A hospitals in Yantai were selected for investigation. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with financial toxicity. Results Financial toxicity was present in 72.63% of enterostomy patients. Social support was negatively correlated with financial toxicity ( P <0.001). Multivariate regression analysis identified residential status, primary caregiver, stoma-related complications, and social support as significant factors contributing to financial toxicity. Conclusion The results of the study showed that more than half of the patients with enterostomies face financial difficulties. Those living alone, experiencing stoma-related complications, and with low social support require greater attention from healthcare providers. This provides a reference for the future development of appropriate health insurance systems. Relevance to clinical practice This study identifies the factors that contribute to the high financial burden of patients with enterostomies and can assist in planning and delivering needed care, which may help reduce predictable problems. It points to relevant future research directions for the Medicare system.