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Nielsen IH, Tolver A, Piil K, Kjeldsen L, Grønbæk K, Jarden M. Family caregiver quality of life and symptom burden in patients with hematological cancer: A Danish nationwide cross-sectional study. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2024; 69:102538. [PMID: 38457934 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2024.102538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the quality of life (QoL) and the impact of caregiving in family caregivers of hematological cancer patients and its association with patient symptom burden. METHODS A cross-sectional study including Danish patients (n = 375) and caregivers (n = 140). Caregivers completed scales for anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, health related QoL using the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey, and caregiver roles using the Caregiver Roles and Responsibilities Scale. Patients reported symptoms using the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory. Analysis of covariance was used to examine associations between patient symptom burden and caregivers' QoL outcomes. RESULTS The results show that caregivers experience sleep difficulties, moderate anxiety, and reduced QoL. Patient symptom burden was significantly associated with caregiver anxiety (p = 0.009), and mental well-being (p = 0.002), while patient treatment status was a significant factor associated with caregiver anxiety (p = 0.016), depression (p = 0.009), emotional well-being (p = 0.002), and sleep (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION Caregivers of patients with hematological cancers undergoing active treatment face a high symptom burden, which significantly impacts their QoL, including sleep, psychological well-being, and emotional health. Patients reported a high symptom burden, and patient symptom burden was significantly associated with caregiver QoL. Adequate patient and caregiver support is needed to promote their well-being and mitigate adverse health effects in caregivers, and this should be acknowledged in the context of caring for patients with hematological cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iben Husted Nielsen
- Department of Haematology, Centre for Cancer and Organ Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Anders Tolver
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Data Science Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Karin Piil
- Department of Oncology, Centre for Cancer and Organ Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Lars Kjeldsen
- Department of Haematology, Centre for Cancer and Organ Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kirsten Grønbæk
- Department of Haematology, Centre for Cancer and Organ Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark; Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mary Jarden
- Department of Haematology, Centre for Cancer and Organ Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Husted Nielsen I, Piil K, Tolver A, Grønbæk K, Kjeldsen L, Jarden M. Family caregiver ambassador support for caregivers of patients with newly diagnosed hematological cancer: a feasibility study. Support Care Cancer 2022; 30:6923-6935. [PMID: 35543814 PMCID: PMC9091143 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-07089-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study investigated the feasibility of a one-on-one peer support intervention in family caregivers of newly diagnosed patients with a hematological cancer during initial treatment. METHODS The study was a one-arm feasibility study including family caregivers of newly diagnosed patients with hematological cancer (n = 26) and caregiver ambassadors who were family caregivers of previously treated patients as peer supporters (n = 17). The one-on-one peer support intervention consisted of three components: a caregiver ambassador preparatory course; 12 weeks of one-on-one peer support, and caregiver ambassador network meetings. RESULTS Family caregivers reported high satisfaction with the delivery and flexibility of one-on-one peer support and improved in most psychosocial outcomes over time. Telephone and text messages were the most used form of contact between the peers. Caregiver ambassadors reported high satisfaction with the preparatory course and used the available support from the network meetings. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION One-on-one peer support provided by a caregiver ambassador is feasible and safe in family caregivers of newly diagnosed hematological cancer patients during their initial treatment. Utilizing volunteer caregiver ambassadors has the potential to be a new support model in family caregivers of hematological cancer patients across diagnostic groups within a clinical setting. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04039100, July 29, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iben Husted Nielsen
- Department of Haematology, Centre for Cancer and Organ Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Karin Piil
- Department of Oncology, Centre for Cancer and Organ Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Anders Tolver
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Data Science Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kirsten Grønbæk
- Department of Haematology, Centre for Cancer and Organ Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Kjeldsen
- Department of Haematology, Centre for Cancer and Organ Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mary Jarden
- Department of Haematology, Centre for Cancer and Organ Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
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