Willingness to Pay for a Quality-Adjusted Life Year among Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients at a Tertiary Hospital of Vietnam, 2022

Tran, Binh Thang; Tran, Thi Tao; La, Ngoc Quang; Nguyen, Thi Thu Phuong; Nguyen, Minh Hanh; Huynh, Thi Minh Chau; Vu, Hung Phuong

doi:10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.5.1725

Willingness to Pay for a Quality-Adjusted Life Year among Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients at a Tertiary Hospital of Vietnam, 2022

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

¹ Faculty of Public Health, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue, Vietnam.

² Department of Epidemiology, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi, Vietnam.

³ Oncology Center, Hue Central Hospital, Hue, Vietnam.

⁴ School of Trade & International Economics, National Economics University, Hanoi, Vietnam.

10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.5.1725

Abstract

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer burden in Asia is increasing, and Vietnam is no exception. Assessing the affordability of achieving a quality-adjusted life year (QALY) in gastrointestinal cancer patients Vietnam, as well as identifying predictors of willingness to pay (WTP) per QALY, is crucial to decision-making around medical intervention prioritization and performing medical technology assessments for these cancers. Objectives: Our study aimed to estimate WTP/QALY gained and associated factors among patients diagnosed with GI cancer at a tertiary hospital in Hue, Vietnam. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study, using contingent valuation methodology was conducted among 231 patients at tertiary hospital in 2022. A double limited dichotomous choice and the EQ-5D-5L were utilised to estimate WTP and QALY, respectively. Quantile regression was applied to determine predictors of WTP/QALY. Results: The mean and median maximum WTP/QALY gained among GI patients was $15,165.6 (42,239.6) and $4,365.6 (IQR: 1,586.5-14,552.0), respectively, which was equal to 3.68 times the 2022 gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in Vietnam. Additionally, cancer severity was found to have a significant impact on WTP per QALY gained, with a higher amount identified among patients with earlier stages of GI cancer. Furthermore, living in an urban dwelling and patients’ treatment modalities were significantly associated with WTP/QALY. Conclusion: Evidence from our study can be used to inform how decision-makers in Vietnam to determine the cost-effectiveness of GI cancer interventions.

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