Abstract 4165
Background
Family caregivers (FCs) play important roles in the care provided to patients with incurable cancer. These patients experience a wide range of distressing symptoms. This symptom burden may add to the burden of FCs and consequently may have a negative impact on their quality of life (QoL). This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the symptom burden in a cohort of patients with incurable cancer and the QoL of their FCs.
Methods
The study included 94 dyads of hospitalized incurable cancer patients and one of their FCs. The symptom burden among patients was assessed using the revised Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS-r) and the QoL of their FCs was measured using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form (MOS SF-36) questionnaire.
Results
Nausea was the most common symptom to associate with poorer QoL scores. There was a significant negative correlation between nausea and the following MOS SF-36 scales: physical functioning (r=-0.219, p = 0.034), role limitations due to physical health (r =-0.0228, p = 0.027), pain (r=-0.404, p < 0.001), general health (r =-0.222, p = 0.031) and health change (r=-0.317, p = 0.002). Other symptoms that correlated significantly with at least one of the MOS SF-36 scales were weakness, drowsiness, lack of appetite, shortness of breath, depression and wellbeing. The total ESAS-r score correlated significantly with poorer scores on the pain (r=-0.248, p = 0.016) and health change (r=-0.311, p = 0.002) scales of MOS SF-36. In addition; older FCs age, hours of care per day, total period of care, FCs employment and inadequate income correlated significantly with poorer scores of at least one of the MOS SF-36 scales.
Conclusions
The high symptom burden experienced by patients with incurable cancer may have a negative impact on the QoL of their FCs, especially the physical aspect.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
Clinical Oncology Department, Menofia University.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Resources from the same session
3158 - Tobacco Retail Access and Tobacco Cessation Among Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) Survivors
Presenter: Lawson Eng
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5511 - ASSERT: A Prospective, Observational Study Measuring Sodium Improvement and Outcomes in Patients Treated for Moderate to Severe Hyponatremia Secondary to Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone secretion (SIADH) in Italy (Lung Cancer Cohort)
Presenter: Rossana Berardi
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
3821 - Efficacy and safety of controlled ovarian stimulation with or without letrozole co-administration for fertility preservation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Presenter: Benedetta Bonardi
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
2168 - Child development at 6 years after maternal cancer diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy
Presenter: Tineke Vandenbroucke
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5855 - Update of the registry of young women with cancer by the International Network of Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy
Presenter: Charlotte Maggen
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5156 - Erectile dysfunction in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Presenter: Ilya Tsimafeyeu
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
4992 - Exercise level, interest and preferences in cancer patients.
Presenter: Alice Avancini
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
3427 - Filling the Gaps in Informed Consent for Advanced Cancer Patients considering Phase 1 Oncology Trials - an in-depth Qualitative Study of Key Stakeholders at a large United Kingdom Phase 1 unit
Presenter: Abhijit Pal
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
3537 - Breast Cancer Patients’ Quality of Life: Real World Data
Presenter: Thanos Kosmidis
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
4761 - High-sensitivity troponin as a cardiotoxicity biomarker in breast cancer treatment
Presenter: Joana Simões
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract