2024 Latin America Conference on Lung Cancer (LALCA) - Posters-PP01.73: Treatment Disparities in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Uruguay

Pdf Summary

The study analyzes disparities in accessing treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Uruguay, influenced by geographic and socioeconomic factors. Although 17% of the population lives in the northern region, only 7% of patients receiving advanced NSCLC treatments are from there. Additionally, while 40% of patients belong to the public healthcare sector, only 17% receiving treatment are in public settings, indicating significant inequalities.<br /><br />The Fondo Nacional de Recursos (FNR) in Uruguay provides access to high-cost treatments, but coverage remains limited. The research highlights the barriers faced by patients in rural areas or those using public healthcare in accessing specialized care and advanced therapies. The study involved a retrospective review of the FNR database to identify patients with advanced or recurrent NSCLC treated between 2020-2022 with immune checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab or atezolizumab, and those treated with EGFR TKIs such as erlotinib or gefitinib from 2012-2022. The analysis considered geographic and healthcare provider factors, and assessed survival outcomes using Kaplan-Meier analysis.<br /><br />The findings underscore the stark regional and socioeconomic disparities in the treatment of advanced NSCLC in Uruguay. Most patients receiving treatment are located in or near Montevideo, and more are in private healthcare settings than public ones. There is a necessity to address these disparities, ensuring equitable access to cancer therapies across all regions and socioeconomic groups in Uruguay.

Asset Subtitle

Alejandro Perez

Keywords

NSCLC

Uruguay

geographic disparities

socioeconomic factors

public healthcare

Fondo Nacional de Recursos

immune checkpoint inhibitors

EGFR TKIs

Kaplan-Meier analysis

healthcare access