Comparative Analysis of Quality of Life of Family Caregivers of Patients With Heart Failure and Cancer Who Receive Palliative Care.

Background: Quality of life (QoL) is the criterion-standard outcome in palliative care for patients with various illnesses and their family caregivers. There is a need to determine the factors affecting caregivers' QoL in each population and the differences between groups to design differentiated intervention strategies.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to compare the role adoption, social support, and QoL of family caregivers of patients with heart failure and cancer in palliative care and to examine the determinants of QoL.

Methods: A comparative study was conducted with the family caregivers of patients with cancer (n = 81) and heart failure (n = 80) in palliative care. Quality of life in life-limiting situations, role adoption, and social support questionnaires were also administered. A χ 2 test, Student t test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used for between-group comparisons. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the effects of the correlated variables on caregivers' QoL.

Results: Caregivers of patients with heart failure had better QoL ( P = .006) and lower tangible social support ( P = .007) than caregivers of patients with heart failure. No differences were found in caregiver role adoption between the groups. Linear regression indicated that for caregivers of patients with cancer, social support, role adoption, caregiver age, and patient functional status affect caregiver QoL. For caregivers of patients with heart failure, role adoption and patient functional status are predictors of QoL.

Conclusions: Overall, healthcare professionals should focus on improving social support and caregiver role adoption and provide greater attention to the QoL of caregivers of patients with cancer.