title: Factors associated with self-perceived burden to the primary caregiver in older patients with hematologic malignancies: an exploratory study.
abstract: Although cancer patients frequently experience self-perceived burden to others, this perception has not been enough studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of self-perceived burden to the primary caregiver (SPB-PC) and associated factors in an older patient population with hematologic malignancies at the time of chemotherapy initiation.
  
  
  
  In total, 166 consecutive patients with hematologic malignancies aged ≥65 years were recruited at the time of chemotherapy initiation. Patients' SPB-PC was assessed using a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS). Characteristics potentially associated with SPB-PC, including sociodemographic and medical characteristics, physical functioning status (Karnofsky performance score, activities of daily living (ADL)/instrumental ADL), symptoms (fatigue, pain, nausea, quality of life), psychological distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)), perceived cognitive function (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Cognitive (FACT-Cog) Scale), and patients'/primary caregivers' personal relationship characteristics (family tie, support), were assessed.
  
  
  
  Thirty-five percent of patients reported moderate to severe SPB-PC (VAS ≥ 50 mm). Patients' SPB-PC was associated with lower Karnofsky performance (β = -0.135, p = 0.058) and ADL (β = -0.148, p = 0.037) scores, and higher HADS (β = 0.283, p < 0.001) and FACT-Cog perceived cognitive impairments subscale (β = 0.211, p = 0.004) scores. The proportion of explained variance was 23.5%.
  
  
  
  Health care professionals should be aware that about one third of older cancer patients experience moderate to severe SPB-PC at the time of chemotherapy initiation. They should adapt their support of patients who report such a feeling. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors.affiliation: Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Libert
authors.affiliation: Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Borghgraef
authors.affiliation: Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Beguin
authors.affiliation: Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Delvaux
authors.affiliation: Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Devos
authors.affiliation: Université Catholique de Louvain, Yvoir, Belgium.
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Doyen
authors.affiliation: Université Catholique de Louvain, Yvoir, Belgium.
authors.forename: Stéphanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dubruille
authors.affiliation: Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Etienne
authors.affiliation: Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Aurore
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liénard
authors.affiliation: Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Merckaert
authors.affiliation: Université Catholique de Louvain, Yvoir, Belgium.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reynaert
authors.affiliation: Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jean-Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Slachmuylder
authors.affiliation: Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Straetmans
authors.affiliation: Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Den Neste
authors.affiliation: Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bron
authors.affiliation: Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Darius
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Razavi
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000523:psychology*