The following is a summary of “Patient- and caregiver-related factors affecting family caregiver burden of urologic cancer patients,” published in the April 2024 issue of Urology by Wong et al.
This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the burden experienced by family caregivers (FCs) of patients with urologic cancer (UC) and assess the influence of various patient- and caregiver-related factors on this burden.
The study utilized a cross-sectional survey design. Caregivers of patients with UC receiving cancer care participated. The modified caregiver strain index (MCSI) served as the tool to gauge FC burden, providing a nuanced understanding of their experiences.
Findings revealed that more than half (54.3%) of FCs reported moderate to high MCSI scores, indicating a significant burden. Demographic analysis unveiled pertinent factors influencing FC burden. Specifically, FCs who were unemployed or perceived their own health condition as moderate to poor exhibited elevated odds of experiencing heightened burden. Notably, patient performance status emerged as a critical determinant, with FCs caring for patients with UC with poorer Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance ratings facing substantially increased burden. Moreover, FCs with lower confidence in their caregiving abilities were notably susceptible to experiencing heightened strain.
The study underscores the multifaceted nature of caregiver burden among FCs of UC patients, highlighting the interplay between patient- and caregiver-related factors. Importantly, patient performance status emerged as a pivotal factor significantly impacting FC burden, transcending other caregiver demographics and caregiving duration. These insights offer valuable guidance for tailored interventions aimed at alleviating caregiver burden and enhancing the overall caregiving experience for FCs of patients with UC.
Source: sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1078143924004204