Financial Toxicity Is Common in Patients After Tibia Fracture

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Health Economics
• Patient Outcomes

Background:

• Tibial shaft fractures represent a significant orthopedic injury.
• Financial toxicity is an emerging concern in healthcare, impacting patient well-being and treatment adherence.
• Understanding financial distress after orthopedic trauma is crucial for developing supportive interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence of financial distress in patients following tibial shaft fracture.
• To identify specific risk factors contributing to financial toxicity in this patient population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional analysis was conducted at a Level I trauma center.
• Data were collected from 142 patients treated for tibial shaft fractures within 4 years of injury.
• Financial distress was self-reported, and financial toxicity was measured using the LIMB-Q scale.

Main Results:

• 64% of patients reported financial distress related to their tibial shaft fracture.
• Medical complications were significantly associated with increased financial toxicity (P=0.04).
• Older age (≥65 years) and higher income ($70,000+) were protective factors against financial toxicity.

Conclusions:

• Financial distress is highly prevalent in patients with tibial shaft fractures, exceeding rates seen in cancer patients.
• Key factors associated with increased financial toxicity include medical complications, lower income, and younger age.
• These findings highlight the need for financial support and risk stratification in managing patients with tibial shaft fractures.