Estimating the Cost of Illness in Colorectal Cancer Patients Who Were Hospitalized for Severe Chemotherapy-Induced Diarrhea

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that grade III/IV diarrhea is a common complication in colorectal cancer, occurring in 20% to 30% of patients receiving chemotherapy. In some of these patients, hospitalization for supportive care is often required. However, the impact that these hospitalized patients have on overall use of health care resources has not been quantified. In the present study, a cost of illness analysis was conducted to estimate the overall cost of patients with colorectal cancer who were hospitalized for supportive care secondary to severe diarrhea.