Health-related quality of life among family caregivers of oesophageal cancer survivors one year after curative intended treatment – a nationwide population-based study

Abstract

Background

To investigate factors that might influence the quality of life of the family caregivers of oesophageal cancer patients.

Material and methods

A cross-sectional study within a prospective, population-based nationwide cohort study including family caregivers to oesophageal cancer patients was conducted. The exposures were family caregivers’ age, sex, education level and patients’ tumour stage, postoperative complications, weight loss and comorbidities. The outcome was health-related quality of life (HRQL) one year after the patient’s cancer surgery measured by the RAND-36. Multivariable linear regression analysis provided mean score differences (MSD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

In total 257 family caregivers were included. Family caregivers ≥65 years displayed lower physical function (MSD=-8.5; p = 0.001) but a higher level of energy (MSD = 9.2; p = 0.002). Those with a higher education level had less pain (MSD = 11.2; p = 0.01) and better physical function (MSD = 9.1; p = 0.006).

Among the patient related exposures, postoperative complications were associated with family caregivers’ physical function (MSD= −6.0; p = 0.01) and pain (MSD= −7.9; p = 0.01). Tumour stage and comorbidities were not associated with the HRQL of the family caregiver.

Conclusion

The study suggests that patients’ complications and age and education level of the family caregivers are associated with family caregivers HRQL. This information provides guidance in the process of creating support for family caregivers of oesophageal cancer patients.

Keywords:

• Cancer survivorship
• cancer treatment
• surgical complications
• RAND-36
• family caregivers

Disclosure statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [PL], upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The study was funded by research grants from the Swedish Cancer Society, the Swedish Research Council and The Cancer Research Funds of Radiumhemmet, Sweden. Cecilia Ringborg was supported by funding from the Doctoral School in Health Care Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. Pernilla Lagergren is supported by the NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) for her position at Imperial College London, London, UK. Cancerfonden; Radiumhemmets Forskningsfonder.