Informal caregivers of advanced-stage cancer patients: Every second is at risk for psychiatric morbidity

Support Care Cancer (2016) 24:19751982 DOI 10.1007/s00520-015-2987-z

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Informal caregivers of advanced-stage cancer patients: Every second is at risk for psychiatric morbidity

T. Rumpold1 & S. Schur1 & M. Amering2 & K. Kirchheiner3 & E. K. Masel1 & H. Watzke1 &

B. Schrank4

Received: 3 August 2015 /Accepted: 9 October 2015 /Published online: 17 October 2015 # Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2015

AbstractPurpose Informal caregivers of advanced cancer patients are known to suffer from high distress due to their caregiving responsibilities. Nevertheless, a comprehensive evaluation of psychiatric morbidity is often missing in clinical practice due to time resources, and mental health problems may be unnoticed in this population. A feasible approach is needed to identify caregivers at risk for psychiatric disorders to offer targeted interventions and enhance their well-being. Methods This cross-sectional, multi-institutional study screened 345 caregivers of advanced cancer patients for psychiatric disorders (i.e., depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and alcohol abuse/dependence) and assessed factors potentially associated with mental health diagnoses (including socio-demographic factors, burden, hope, caring-related quality of life, and coping preferences).

Results Overall, almost 52 % of participants had one or more suspected psychiatric disorders, with anxiety being the most prevalent. Perceived hope, higher burden, and more emotion-oriented coping were associated with psychiatric morbidity in

this sample. Spouses and parents showed significantly more symptoms of psychiatric disorders than other relatives. Conclusions This study confirms the high risk of informal caregivers of advanced cancer patients to develop psychiatric disorders and suggests a practically feasible approach to identify at risk caregivers to offer support.

Keywords Caregiver . Psychiatric morbidity . Burden . Cancer . Palliative care . Mental health

Introduction

Despite major advances in the treatment of cancer during the past few decades, definite cure from most oncological diseases is still often out of reach. Advanced cancer care is currently undergoing a fundamental process of transformation, shifting the focus from an acute illness with short-term outcome towards more stable and chronic conditions. This process foresees an improved survival leading to a rising number of patients with permanent disabilities and an increasing need for long-term support. Since advanced therapy cannot be...