Financial Toxicity and Quality of Life After Bone Marrow Transplant: A Longitudinal, Prospective Study

Financial toxicity is common after bone marrow transplant (BMT) and is associated with worse quality of life, but longitudinal patterns remain poorly understood.

We conducted a prospective cohort study of insured adults undergoing allogeneic BMT (2018-2023). Financial toxicity (Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity-Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy) and quality of life (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy [FACT]-General, FACT-BMT) were assessed at baseline and at days (D) 90, 180, and 365. Longitudinal trends were analyzed using mixed-effects models. Relative risks (RR) for financial toxicity and hazard ratios (HR) for post-BMT mortality were estimated using generalized linear mixed-effects and time-varying Cox models.

Among 214 transplanted patients, the median age was 58 years (IQR 46-66 year), 62% were male, and 80% were White; 47% had leukemia, 27% myelodysplastic syndrome, and 9% lymphoma; and 31% died by D365. At baseline, 56% reported none/minimal, 26% mild, and 18% moderate/high financial toxicity. Financial toxicity was associated with more cost-cutting behaviors, including reduced spending on food or clothing, use of savings, and prescription nonadherence. Expected probability of ≥mild financial toxicity reduced over time (39% baseline, 34% D90, 30% D180, 26% D365). Across time points, age >65 years and income >$90,000 in US dollars (USD) had 66% and 67% decreased risk of financial toxicity, respectively, compared with counterparts (n = 148, RR, 0.34, 95% CI [0.19 to 0.59]; RR, 0.33 [0.20 to 0.57]). Quality of life (n = 119 alive and with data by D365) with none/minimal or mild financial toxicity improved after transplant compared with baseline but significantly worsened for those with moderate/high financial toxicity over 1 year. Following adjustment for covariables, financial toxicity was not significantly associated with premature death after transplant (n = 214, HR, 1.10 [0.62-1.96]).

Financial toxicity improved overtime with BMT, but persistent financial hardship was associated with quality of life. These findings support longitudinal screening and financial interventions across the transplant continuum.