Healthcare costs of terminal-stage lung cancer patients in the intensive care unit: a comparison with other critically ill patients

Ayşe Çapar; Aslı Mezide Dulkadiroğlu; Şeyma Başlılar; Güzide Tomas

doi:10.38053/acmj.1952117

Healthcare costs of terminal-stage lung cancer patients in the intensive care unit: a comparison with other critically ill patients

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to compare the costs, clinical features, and management strategies in the intensive care unit (ICU) between patients with terminal-stage lung cancer and those with non-malignant respiratory conditions. Additionally, factors associated with ICU costs and differences in clinical characteristics by in-hospital mortality status were evaluated. Methods: This retrospective observational study involved 250 patients monitored in the pulmonary ICU from January 2020 to December 2025. Of these, 190 had terminal-stage lung cancer, and 60 required ICU admission for non-malignant respiratory conditions. Retrospective analyses included demographic characteristics, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) scores, ICU interventions, complications, in-hospital mortality data, and ICU-related costs. Results: The total ICU cost was higher for patients with terminal-stage lung cancer compared to the non-malignant patient group [1736.20 United States Dollar (USD) vs. 1161.02 USD, respectively; p=0.010]. The terminal-stage lung cancer group exhibited significantly higher rates of mechanical ventilation (MV) (88.4% vs. 60.0%; p<0.001), vasopressor (VP) use (91.1% vs. 65.0%; p<0.001), broad-spectrum antibiotic use (86.3% vs. 66.7%; p<0.001), and in-hospital mortality (87.4% vs. 51.7%; p<0.001). Multivariable gamma regression analysis showed that prolonged ICU length of stay, the development of infectious complications, and use of renal replacement therapy (RRT) were independently associated with higher ICU costs (both p<0.05). Conclusion: Terminal-stage lung cancer patients admitted to the ICU experienced substantially higher mortality and greater healthcare resource utilization than patients admitted for non-malignant respiratory conditions. Although overall ICU expenditures were higher in this population, the lack of a significant difference in daily ICU costs suggests that the increase is largely attributable to prolonged ICU stays and complication-related care rather than to greater day-to-day treatment intensity. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing ICU resource utilization and strengthening palliative care services to support appropriate and sustainable end-of-life care.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None declared

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the University of Health Sciences Sultan II Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital (Date: March 25, 2026; Approval number: E-54230385-929-301089224; Decision No: 14). The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Thanks

None declared

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Chest Diseases, Intensive Care

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Ayşe Çapar ^*
0000-0002-6485-342X
Türkiye

Aslı Mezide Dulkadiroğlu
0009-0009-4218-8658
Türkiye

Şeyma Başlılar
0000-0003-1495-6508
Türkiye

Güzide Tomas
0009-0007-8739-7969
Türkiye

Publication Date

September 11, 2026

Submission Date

May 15, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 10, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 5

DOI

https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1952117

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA46LU84CL

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Çapar, A., Dulkadiroğlu, A. M., Başlılar, Ş., & Tomas, G. (2026). Healthcare costs of terminal-stage lung cancer patients in the intensive care unit: a comparison with other critically ill patients. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, 8(5), 828-835. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1952117

AMA

1.Çapar A, Dulkadiroğlu AM, Başlılar Ş, Tomas G. Healthcare costs of terminal-stage lung cancer patients in the intensive care unit: a comparison with other critically ill patients. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026;8(5):828-835. doi:10.38053/acmj.1952117

Chicago

Çapar, Ayşe, Aslı Mezide Dulkadiroğlu, Şeyma Başlılar, and Güzide Tomas. 2026. “Healthcare Costs of Terminal-Stage Lung Cancer Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: A Comparison With Other Critically Ill Patients”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8 (5): 828-35. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1952117.

EndNote

Çapar A, Dulkadiroğlu AM, Başlılar Ş, Tomas G (September 1, 2026) Healthcare costs of terminal-stage lung cancer patients in the intensive care unit: a comparison with other critically ill patients. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8 5 828–835.

IEEE

[1]A. Çapar, A. M. Dulkadiroğlu, Ş. Başlılar, and G. Tomas, “Healthcare costs of terminal-stage lung cancer patients in the intensive care unit: a comparison with other critically ill patients”, Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj, vol. 8, no. 5, pp. 828–835, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.38053/acmj.1952117.

ISNAD

Çapar, Ayşe - Dulkadiroğlu, Aslı Mezide - Başlılar, Şeyma - Tomas, Güzide. “Healthcare Costs of Terminal-Stage Lung Cancer Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: A Comparison With Other Critically Ill Patients”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8/5 (September 1, 2026): 828-835. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1952117.

JAMA

1.Çapar A, Dulkadiroğlu AM, Başlılar Ş, Tomas G. Healthcare costs of terminal-stage lung cancer patients in the intensive care unit: a comparison with other critically ill patients. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026;8:828–835.

MLA

Çapar, Ayşe, et al. “Healthcare Costs of Terminal-Stage Lung Cancer Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: A Comparison With Other Critically Ill Patients”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, vol. 8, no. 5, Sept. 2026, pp. 828-35, doi:10.38053/acmj.1952117.

Vancouver

1.Ayşe Çapar, Aslı Mezide Dulkadiroğlu, Şeyma Başlılar, Güzide Tomas. Healthcare costs of terminal-stage lung cancer patients in the intensive care unit: a comparison with other critically ill patients. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026 Sep. 1;8(5):828-35. doi:10.38053/acmj.1952117