Meenu Mahak SONI, Noora ALMULLA, Heba Mohammed MAMDOUH
European Journal of Breast Health - 2026;22(3):261-269
Objective: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women in Dubai, yet the economic burden of its treatment remains understudied. This study aimed to estimate the direct medical costs of breast cancer care in Dubai in 2024 and to examine variations by encounter type, comorbidity burden, and provider setting. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of insurance claims was conducted for January-December 2024. Breast cancer cases were identified using International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, clinical modification codes, and comorbidity burden was assessed using the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Costs were analyzed by encounter type (outpatient, inpatient, day case) and by provider setting (clinic/center versus hospital). A Tweedie generalized linear model was applied to evaluate the effect of comorbidities and service characteristics on costs. Results: A total of 8,967 patients (mean age 51.8 years) with 81,248 claims were identified. Outpatient visits constituted 86% of encounters and accounted for 81% of total expenditure (USD 48.7M). Inpatient admissions accounted for 6% of encounters and had the highest mean cost per patient (USD 10,808). The total expenditure was USD 60.0M. Costs increased significantly with comorbidity severity: patients with CCI >=5 incurred 6.4-fold higher costs compared to those without comorbidities (p<0.0001). Hospital-based care increased costs by 16%, and pharmacy claims contributed an additional 31% to expenditures. Conclusion: Breast cancer treatment in Dubai imposes a substantial economic burden, largely driven by outpatient services, hospital-based care, and medication costs. Comorbidity significantly increases expenditures. These findings highlight the importance of integrated, risk-stratified care pathways and sustainable strategies to optimize resource allocation for breast cancer management in the United Arab Emirates.
