Quality of Life of Patients With Colorectal Neoplasm and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Colorectal Cancer Screening

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer among Chinese in Hong Kong and the second leading cause of cancer death in this population. Several screening strategies has been associated with improved survival and may affect patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL). HRQOL impact should be used to adjust for survival in terms of quality adjusted life years (QALY) in the evaluation of cost-effectiveness of any intervention including screening. Objectives: to determine the HRQOL and health preference of patients with different stages of colorectal neoplasm, and to determine the most cost-effective CRC screening strategy for increasing QALYs. Design and Subjects: A longitudinal survey to collect data on HRQOL associated with colorectal neoplasm for Markov modeling on cost-effectiveness of CRC screening. A stratified sample of 420 patients with colorectal polyps and different stages of CRC will be recruited from colorectal clinics of Queen Mary Hospital for health preference and HRQOL assessment. The HRQOL over time will be measured at baseline, 6 and 12 months later. Health preference data will be integrated with cost and effectiveness data obtained from the literature to determine the cost-effectiveness of currently recommended CRC screening strategies by Markov modeling. Main outcome measures: The primary outcome measure is the SF-6D health preference value and QALYs. Secondary outcomes are the SF-12v2 and FACT-C scores. The outcomes will be compared between patients with different stages of colorectal neoplasm. Markov modeling study will estimate the expected QALYs gained and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for each CRC screening strategy. Results: The study will provide information on HRQOL of patients with colorectal neoplasm to guide health services. The Markov Model will identify the most cost-effective CRC screening strategy for Hong Kong Chinese, which can inform policy makers and the public for the prevention of CRC of