Key result
Clinically meaningful anxiety affects ~41% of female prostate cancer caregivers and correlates with worse QOL.
Why the study?
The prevalence, severity, and impact of symptoms on female family caregivers of patients initiating radiation therapy for prostate cancer were not well characterized.
Design
Cross-sectional study using self-report questionnaires
Authors
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High symptom burden in female caregivers of prostate cancer patients starting RT was associated with poorer functional status and QOL; leaves open whether screening or interventions improve outcomes.
Cross-Sectional (n=60)
A high percentage of female family caregivers of prostate cancer patients experience clinically meaningful symptoms like anxiety and fatigue, which negatively impact their functional status and quality of life.
Fletcher et al. (2008) conducted a cross-sectional in Female family caregivers of patients with prostate cancer (n=60). Symptoms (depression, anxiety, pain, sleep disturbance, fatigue) was evaluated on Prevalence of clinically meaningful levels of symptoms and their impact on functional status and QOL. Among 60 female family caregivers of prostate cancer patients, 40.7% had clinically meaningful anxiety, 36.7% sleep disturbance, and 33.3% morning fatigue, which negatively impacted functional status and QOL.