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- Title
Economic Burdens and Quality of Life of Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients.
- Authors
Young Ho Yun; Young Sun Rhee; Im Ok Kang; Jung Suk Lee; Soo Mee Bang; Won Sup Lee; Jun Suk Kim; Si Young Kim; Sang Won Shin; Young Seon Hong
- Abstract
Objectives: We conducted this study to identify factors influencing the burdens cancer brings to a patient’s family and to evaluate the association between the burdens and the caregiver’s quality of life (QOL). Methods: Participants were drawn from the primary family caregivers of cancer patients at 6 university hospitals and the National Cancer Center in Korea. Of the 738 eligible caregivers, 704 (95.4%) completed the questionnaire packets (Family Impact Questions and Caregiver’s QOL-Cancer). Results: Caregivers, who were poor (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.44–3.10), whose health status was poor (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.29–2.70), who were married (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.12–2.72), who provided care for a long time (OR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.59–3.28), who cared for patients with poor performance status (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.00–1.82), and who paid high medical expenses (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.21–2.40), were more likely to lose their family savings. In multiple regression analysis, most burden variables – including requiring caregiving assistance, major life change, inability to function normally, loss of savings, loss of income, and altered educational plans – were associated with caregiver QOL. Loss of family income, which was related to economic issues, was most strongly associated with it (16.0%). Conclusions: Our study suggests that to improve caregiver QOL, we should give priority to decreasing the economic burden that cancer places on patient’s family. Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel
- Subjects
QUALITY of life; CAREGIVERS; CANCER patients; MULTIPLE regression analysis; MEDICAL care costs
- Publication
Oncology, 2005, Vol 68, Issue 2/3, p107
- ISSN
0030-2414
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1159/000085703