Exploring Out-of-Pocket Costs and Health-Related Quality of Life among Patients with Cancer and Diabetes in…

Cross-sectionalThe Malaysian journal of medical sciences : MJMS· Dec 2025

Exploring Out-of-Pocket Costs and Health-Related Quality of Life among Patients with Cancer and Diabetes in Malaysia.

Mohd Redhuan Dzulkipli, Asrul Akmal Shafie, Siti Noorsuriani Maon … Azmi Nor Mohd Farez Ahmat

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EndocrinologyCross-sectionalClinical practiceQ3IF 1.7

Patients with cancer in Malaysia have substantial annual out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Exploring Out-of-Pocket Costs and Health-Related Quality of Life among Patients with Cancer and Diabetes in Malaysia.

Mohd Redhuan Dzulkipli … Azmi Nor Mohd Farez Ahmat

The Malaysian journal of medical sciences · Dec 2025 · Q3 in General Medicine

Background

Out-of-pocket costs for chronic illnesses have become significant barriers to continuing treatment, given the already substantial cost of the diseases.

Purpose

This study aims to estimate out-of-pocket costs and determine the health-related quality of life of patients with cancer and diabetes.

Methods

A purposive cross-sectional study (January 2021-January 2022) was conducted to assess health-related quality of life and out-of-pocket costs among Malaysian adults with cancer or diabetes.

n = 571 participants

MYR 88,346.12

Results

MYR 88,346.12

Average annual out-of-pocket expenditure for patients with cancer in Malaysia.

n = 571 participants

More results

Significant differences were observed across all cost categories between patients with cancer and diabetes.

Diagnostic imaging had a larger effect size ( P < 0.0001, r = 0.467).

Annual outpatient and hospitalisation costs among patients with cancer were found to be 42 and 11 times higher than for patients with diabetes, respectively.

More results

Additionally, patients with cancer rated their health-related quality of life using the EQ-VAS score lower than patients with diabetes (EQ-VAS = 63.7, SD = 19.2 and EQ-VAS = 71.6, SD = 18.7).

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Conclusion · 1 of 3

Cancer and diabetes impose significant financial and quality of life burdens on patients in Malaysia.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

This study highlights gaps in insurance coverage and public assistance, calling for more comprehensive support for medical and nonmedical expenses and psychological support for patients.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

The analysis, which focuses on annual costs, may underestimate the long-term financial impact, especially for patients with cancer.

Exploring Out-of-Pocket Costs and Health-Related Quality of Life among Patients with Cancer and Diabetes in Malaysia.

Exploring Out-of-Pocket Costs and Health-Related Quality of Life among Patients with Cancer and Diabetes in Malaysia.

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