Caregiver burden and quality of life among family caregivers of cancer patients on chemotherapy: A prospective observational study

Abstract

AIM: Informal caregivers of cancer patients have extensive burdens. They are susceptible for deterioration of their quality of life (QOL). We aimed to assess caregiver burden and QOL of family caregivers of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy admitted in the ward/intensive care unit/high-dependency unit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective observational study including 178 caregivers was carried out in a tertiary care hospital. The assessment of caregiving burden was done using the Zarit Burden Interview and its impact on QOL using the WHO BREF QOL questionnaire. RESULTS: = 0.053). We did not find any difference in burden scores or QOL between male and female caregivers. CONCLUSION: Mild-to-moderate burden was seen in 70.22% of caregivers and 21.38% had moderate-to-severe burden.