Evaluation of caregiver burden and quality of life in metastatic prostate cancer patients; Effects of clinical and socioeconomic factors

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the caregiver burden and quality of life (QoL) of patients with metastatic prostate cancer and, to evaluate the relationship between questionnaire results and medical, socioeconomic, disease and treatment related factors of the patients. Methods: One hundred twenty one metastatic prostate cancer patients, and caregivers were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Patients with metastatic prostate cancer who had at least one bone, lymph node or visceral metastasis who had undergone androgen deprivation or chemotherapy treatments for at least 3 months were included. Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaires and Zarit caregiver burden interviews (ZCBI) were conducted with patients and their caregivers seperately. Patients’ disease, treatment, socioeconomic and caregiver related factors were recorded respectively. Results: Patients’ comorbidities, ECOG score, presence and quantity of bone or visceral metastasis, bone related events, receiving palliative radiotherapy and chemotherapy, using public transportation resulted in lower SF-36 and higher ZCBI results (p