Decline in quality of life among caregivers of patients undergoing chemotherapy for incurable cancer: implications for early social and medical support.

Abstract

Background: Recent advances in cancer treatment have extended patient survival and improved quality of life (QOL), often enabling home-based chemotherapy. However, this shift places a growing burden on informal caregivers, impacting their own well-being. This study aims to explore changes in caregiver QOL over the course of treatment and identify contributing factors.

Methods: We conducted a single-institution, prospective observational study involving patients receiving chemotherapy for unresectable or recurrent solid tumors and their primary caregivers. QOL was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 before each treatment line. Scores were stratified by treatment duration and line. Paired t-tests and multiple linear regression analyses were performed.

Results: Among 378 patient-caregiver pairs, caregiver emotional and cognitive functioning declined over time, particularly with longer treatment durations and later treatment lines. Fatigue prevalence increased to 100% by the fourth-line treatment. Regression analyses revealed that caregiver QOL was affected by patient symptoms (e.g., insomnia, appetite loss), patient QOL scores, treatment duration, and caregiver age and gender.

Conclusions: Caregivers experienced progressive emotional and cognitive declines paralleling the patient's clinical trajectory. These findings highlight the necessity of early and comprehensive support systems for caregivers, including psychological and social support, to maintain their QOL throughout cancer treatment.