Impact of uracil/tegafur plus oral calcium folinate on resource utilization

Data from a multinational phase III trial were analyzed to evaluate the use of in- and outpatient services for 373 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer being administered uracil/tegafur (in a molar ratio of 4:1 [UFT]) plus oral calcium folinate (Orzel) (N = 188) vs 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus oral calcium folinate (N = 185). Hospital and/or nursing home admissions were studied, including hospitalizations for febrile neutropenia, infection, tumor progression, drug toxicity, and transfusion. Chemotherapy hospitalization data were not collected. Analyzed outpatient services included family doctor, hospital, private nurse, physiotherapist, and home-help visits. Results showed that UFT plus oral calcium folinate may be associated with reductions in the use of inpatient services and work loss due to illness among patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.