Psychological distress, fatigue, burden of care, and quality of life in primary caregivers of patients with breast cancer undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of sociodemographic variables, psychological distress, fatigue, and quality of life (QOL) on burden of care in primary caregivers of patients with breast cancer undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT).


METHODS
Descriptive, correlational, predictive.


METHODS
Urban National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in the eastern United States.


METHODS
Convenience sample of 102 primary caregivers.


METHODS
Participants completed the sociodemographic data form, Piper Fatigue Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, QOL Index, and Measurement of Objective and Subjective Burden Scales prior to BMT during an oncology clinic visit.


METHODS
Depression, anxiety, fatigue, QOL, and burden of care.


RESULTS
Mean fatigue scores were low. Primary caregivers experienced moderate state anxiety and low trait anxiety. Some experienced severe depression. The objective burden of care mean score was slightly higher than the subjective mean score. Mean QOL scores were low. All variables were significantly intercorrelated, except subjective burden and temporal and sensory fatigue. Significant correlations were found between age and subjective burden, and income with fatigue temporal subscale, and state and trait anxiety. Family subscale of QOL was a significant predictor of objective burden. Age and trait anxiety were significant predictors of subjective burden.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary caregivers of patients with breast cancer scheduled for BMT experience fatigue, anxiety, burden of care, and low QOL. These caregivers may have tried to meet their needs and the patients' needs simultaneously.


CONCLUSIONS
Healthcare providers need to proactively assess primary caregivers of patients for fatigue, psychological distress, burden of care, and decreased QOL and provide nursing interventions tailored to individual needs.
Gaston-Johansson
Fannie
F
International Program at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in Baltimore, MD, USA. fannie@son.jhmi.edu <fannie@son.jhmi.edu>
Lachica
Evelyn M
EM
Fall-Dickson
Jane M
JM
Kennedy
M John
MJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D017028:Caregivers; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*