Evaluation of caregiver burden and quality of life in metastatic prostate cancer patients; Effects of clinical and socioeconomic factors

Abstract

Evaluation of caregiver burden and quality of life in metastatic prostate cancer patients; Effects of clinical and socioeconomic factors

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the caregiver burden and quality of life (QoL) of patients with metastatic prostate cancer and, to evaluate the relationship between questionnaire results and medical, socioeconomic, disease and treatment related factors of the patients. Methods: One hundred twenty one metastatic prostate cancer patients, and caregivers were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Patients with metastatic prostate cancer who had at least one bone, lymph node or visceral metastasis who had undergone androgen deprivation or chemotherapy treatments for at least 3 months were included. Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaires and Zarit caregiver burden interviews (ZCBI) were conducted with patients and their caregivers seperately. Patients’ disease, treatment, socioeconomic and caregiver related factors were recorded respectively. Results: Patients’ comorbidities, ECOG score, presence and quantity of bone or visceral metastasis, bone related events, receiving palliative radiotherapy and chemotherapy, using public transportation resulted in lower SF-36 and higher ZCBI results (p<0.001– p=0.049). Obligation to live in rented houses were correlated with lower SF-36 physical function results (p=0.043). Condition of the caregiver being from distant relatives resulted in a lower SF-36 score (p=0.01 - p=0.043). Moderate to strong negative correlation was detected between ZCBI and all SF-36 results (p<0.001, r:-646 to-749). In ZCBI, score over 47 resulted with 69.57% sensitivity and 65.52% specificity (AUC =0.671, p =0.008). Conclusion: QoL was directly related to caregiver burden. Factors such as patient comorbidities, bone metastasis and related situations, ECOG score, presence of visceral metastasis, undergoing chemotherapy, low socioeconomic status negatively affect the quality of life of patients and caregiver burden. If these factors can be monitored, the care and quality of life of these patients can be improved.

Keywords

• Caregiver burden
• quality of life
• prostate cancer

References

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