Qualidade de vida e sobrecarga do cuidador informal principal do doente oncológico ao longo das fases de tratamento

Abstract

In current clinical practice the main focus of attention is the patient, the caregiver remains in a marginal position. However, caregivers face emotional and physical challenges that evolve as the disease progresses. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of life, burden and distress of cancer patients caregivers throughout the stages of treatment. For this purpose, we selected a sample of 90 caregivers of patients in curative treatment, palliative chemotherapy and symptomatic treatment. The most common profile of the caregiver was female sex, median age 45 years, who is the spouse or daughter of the patient. Applying the selected scales (Zarit Burden Interview, Caregiver Quality of Life Index – Cancer (CQOLC) Scale and the Distress Thermometer) we found an increase in burden and distress levels, as well as decreased quality of life of caregivers throughout the disease progression. The caregivers burden was moderate and influenced by feelings of dependency and loss of control. Quality of life was lower than that reported in other studies and the items of emotional overload were the major contributors for these results. Distress was generally high with large component of emotional problems and an increase in physical problems in caregivers of patients in symptomatic treatment. Female caregivers played an increasingly important role throughout the progression of the disease and showed further deterioration of well-being. However, caregivers with a close relationship with the patient achieved better burden and quality of life scores, probably due to the reorganization along the progression of the disease. Regular assessment of caregiver aims to establish an early emotional and physical intervention, and should be included in the treatment plan of the patient.

Date of Award	13 May 2014
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Manuel Luís Capelas (Supervisor)