S M C H Langenberg1, H Poort2,3, A N M Wymenga4, J W de Groot5, E W Muller6, W T A van der Graaf1,7, J B Prins8, C M L van Herpen9. 1. Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. 2. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Boston, MA, USA. 3. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. 4. Department of Internal Medicine, Medisch Spectrum Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands. 5. Department of Internal Medicine, Isala, Zwolle, The Netherlands. 6. Department of Internal Medicine, Slingeland Ziekenhuis, Doetinchem, The Netherlands. 7. Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 8. Department of Medical Psychology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. 9. Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. carla.vanherpen@radboudumc.nl.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Caring for a significant other during cancer treatment can be demanding. Little is known about the well-being of informal caregivers of patients with colon cancer. This study aims to examine informal caregiver well-being during adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This exploratory longitudinal, prospective study measured the course of informal caregiver burden (Self-Perceived Pressure of Informal Care), distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), health-related quality of life (RAND-36), marital satisfaction (Maudsley Marital Questionnaire), social support (Social Support List - Discrepancies), fatigue (Abbreviated Fatigue Questionnaire), and self-esteem (Caregiver Reaction Assessment) before (T0), during (T1), and after (T2) patients' treatment. RESULTS: Baseline data of 60 out of 76 eligible dyads (79%) were analyzed. Mean levels of informal caregiver burden and distress improved significantly over time, as did their health-related quality of life and perceived social support. At baseline, 30% and 26.7% of informal caregivers reported moderate-to-high levels of burden and clinically relevant levels of distress, respectively, which changed to 20% and 18.8% at T2. Informal caregiver burden and distress at baseline were the strongest predictors of informal caregiver burden and distress during and following patients' treatment, respectively. CONCLUSION: When informal caregivers and patients experience problems before start of adjuvant chemotherapy, problems seem to improve over time. Approximately 20% of informal caregivers remain burdened and distressed after patients' end of treatment. Paying attention to baseline distress and burden seems indicated, as these were strong predictors of informal caregivers' well-being during and after treatment.
INTRODUCTION: Caring for a significant other during cancer treatment can be demanding. Little is known about the well-being of informal caregivers of patients with colon cancer. This study aims to examine informal caregiver well-being during adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This exploratory longitudinal, prospective study measured the course of informal caregiver burden (Self-Perceived Pressure of Informal Care), distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), health-related quality of life (RAND-36), marital satisfaction (Maudsley Marital Questionnaire), social support (Social Support List - Discrepancies), fatigue (Abbreviated Fatigue Questionnaire), and self-esteem (Caregiver Reaction Assessment) before (T0), during (T1), and after (T2) patients' treatment. RESULTS: Baseline data of 60 out of 76 eligible dyads (79%) were analyzed. Mean levels of informal caregiver burden and distress improved significantly over time, as did their health-related quality of life and perceived social support. At baseline, 30% and 26.7% of informal caregivers reported moderate-to-high levels of burden and clinically relevant levels of distress, respectively, which changed to 20% and 18.8% at T2. Informal caregiver burden and distress at baseline were the strongest predictors of informal caregiver burden and distress during and following patients' treatment, respectively. CONCLUSION: When informal caregivers and patients experience problems before start of adjuvant chemotherapy, problems seem to improve over time. Approximately 20% of informal caregivers remain burdened and distressed after patients' end of treatment. Paying attention to baseline distress and burden seems indicated, as these were strong predictors of informal caregivers' well-being during and after treatment.
Authors: Marjan J Traa; Johan Braeken; Jolanda De Vries; Jan A Roukema; Ricardo G Orsini; Brenda L Den Oudsten Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2014-11-28 Impact factor: 4.147
Authors: Leontien Jansen; Stephanie Dauphin; Tine De Burghgraeve; Birgitte Schoenmakers; Frank Buntinx; Marjan van den Akker Journal: J Health Psychol Date: 2019-12-09
Authors: Simone M C H Langenberg; Carla M L van Herpen; Claudia C M van Opstal; Anke N M Wymenga; Winette T A van der Graaf; Judith B Prins Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2019-02-22 Impact factor: 3.603