Makoto Kobayakawa1, Asao Ogawa2, Michiko Konno3, Akiko Kurata4, Jun Hamano5, Tatsuya Morita6, Yoshiyuki Kizawa7, Satoru Tsuneto8, Yasuo Shima9, Maho Aoyama10, Mitsunori Miyashita11. 1. Division of Palliative Care, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan. Electronic address: koba0515@hiroshima-u.ac.jp. 2. Division of Psycho-Oncology, Research center for Innovative Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan. Electronic address: asogawa@east.ncc.go.jp. 3. Department of Psychiatry, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address: xtc@kt.rim.or.jp. 4. Department of Psychiatry, Hiroshima City Hiroshima Citizens Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan. Electronic address: akkocl@yahoo.co.jp. 5. Division of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan. Electronic address: junhamano@md.tsukuba.ac.jp. 6. Palliative Care Team, Department of Palliative and Supportive Care, Seirei Mikatahara General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Japan. Electronic address: tmorita@sis.seirei.or.jp. 7. Department of Palliative Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan. Electronic address: kizawa-ysyk@umin.org. 8. Department of Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. Electronic address: tsuneto@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp. 9. Home Care Service, Department of Palliative Medicine, Tsukuba Medical Center Foundation, Tsukuba Medical Center Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan. Electronic address: shima@tmch.or.jp. 10. Department of Community Health, Health Sciences, Tohoku University, Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan. Electronic address: mahot-wmh@med.tohoku.ac.jp. 11. Department of Palliative Nursing, Health Sciences, Tohoku University, Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan. Electronic address: miya@med.tohoku.ac.jp.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The psychological and psychiatric symptoms of terminally ill cancer patients are highly problematic and have been associated with greater burden among caregivers. Until now, the extent of these problems in the home care setting was unclear. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted as part of a nationwide survey from the perspective of bereaved family members in Japan (J-HOPE3). The bereaved family members rated the symptoms of delirium and suicidal ideation of patients with cancer, and the sleeplessness and depressed mood of family caregivers utilizing home care services in the one month before the patients' deaths. Regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with caregivers' sleeplessness or depressed mood. RESULTS: Of the 532 subjects analyzed, between 17% and 65% of patients experienced various symptoms of delirium, and 27% suicidal ideation. Among family caregivers, 60% experienced sleeplessness and 35% experienced depressed mood at least once during the week. Caregivers' psychological symptoms were associated with their own poor health status, being the spouse of the patient, and the patients' psychological or psychiatric symptoms. To manage patients' symptoms, 11% of caregivers had consulted psychiatrists or psychologists while another 11% wanted to do so. CONCLUSION: Psychological problems assessed were common among patients with cancer and their family caregivers in the one month of home care prior to the patient's death. An effective complementary care system, run by home-visit physicians, nurses, and experts in mental disorders, is needed.
OBJECTIVE: The psychological and psychiatric symptoms of terminally ill cancerpatients are highly problematic and have been associated with greater burden among caregivers. Until now, the extent of these problems in the home care setting was unclear. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted as part of a nationwide survey from the perspective of bereaved family members in Japan (J-HOPE3). The bereaved family members rated the symptoms of delirium and suicidal ideation of patients with cancer, and the sleeplessness and depressed mood of family caregivers utilizing home care services in the one month before the patients' deaths. Regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with caregivers' sleeplessness or depressed mood. RESULTS: Of the 532 subjects analyzed, between 17% and 65% of patients experienced various symptoms of delirium, and 27% suicidal ideation. Among family caregivers, 60% experienced sleeplessness and 35% experienced depressed mood at least once during the week. Caregivers' psychological symptoms were associated with their own poor health status, being the spouse of the patient, and the patients' psychological or psychiatric symptoms. To manage patients' symptoms, 11% of caregivers had consulted psychiatrists or psychologists while another 11% wanted to do so. CONCLUSION: Psychological problems assessed were common among patients with cancer and their family caregivers in the one month of home care prior to the patient's death. An effective complementary care system, run by home-visit physicians, nurses, and experts in mental disorders, is needed.
Authors: Ling Hu; Xianfeng Zhang; Zizheng Song; Kunjie Wang; Youchao Jia; Jin Song; Lei Su Journal: Comput Math Methods Med Date: 2022-04-25 Impact factor: 2.809