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Abstract(s)
Em Oncologia, a prática clínica atual centra a sua atenção no doente, ficando o cuidador numa posição marginal. No entanto, o cuidador enfrenta desafios emocionais e físicos, que evoluem à medida que progride a doença. O objetivo principal deste estudo foi a avaliação da qualidade de vida, sobrecarga e distress dos cuidadores de doentes oncológicos ao longo das fases do tratamento. Para tal efeito, foi selecionada uma amostra de conveniência com 90 cuidadores de doentes em tratamento curativo, quimioterapia paliativa e tratamento sintomático. O perfil mais frequente de cuidador foi sexo feminino, idade média de 45 anos, cônjuge ou filha do doente. Com as escalas selecionadas (Escala de Sobrecarga de Zarit, Escala de Qualidade de vida do familiar/cuidador do doente oncológico e Termómetro do distress) verificámos que ao longo da progressão da doença houve aumento dos níveis de sobrecarga e distress, assim como diminuição da qualidade de vida dos cuidadores. A sobrecarga foi, em geral, moderada e estava influenciada pelos sentimentos de dependência e perda de controlo. A qualidade de vida foi inferior à reportada noutros estudos, sendo os itens da sobrecarga emocional os que tiveram maior influência nestes resultados. O distress foi, em geral, elevado com uma forte contribuição dos problemas emocionais e um aumento dos problemas físicos nos cuidadores de doentes em tratamento sintomático. As mulheres cuidadoras tiveram um papel cada vez mais importante ao longo da progressão da doença e apresentaram uma maior deterioração do bem-estar. Por outro lado, os cuidadores com uma relação próxima com o doente obtiveram melhores pontuações de sobrecarga e qualidade de vida, provavelmente pelo processo de reorganização ao longo da progressão da doença. A avaliação regular do cuidador tem como objetivo instituir uma intervenção precoce a nível emocional e físico, e deve ser inserida no plano terapêutico traçado para o doente.
In current clinical practice the main focus of attention is the patient, the caregiver remains in a marginal position. However, caregivers face emotional and physical challenges that evolve as the disease progresses. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of life, burden and distress of cancer patients caregivers throughout the stages of treatment. For this purpose, we selected a sample of 90 caregivers of patients in curative treatment, palliative chemotherapy and symptomatic treatment. The most common profile of the caregiver was female sex, median age 45 years, who is the spouse or daughter of the patient. Applying the selected scales (Zarit Burden Interview, Caregiver Quality of Life Index – Cancer (CQOLC) Scale and the Distress Thermometer) we found an increase in burden and distress levels, as well as decreased quality of life of caregivers throughout the disease progression. The caregivers burden was moderate and influenced by feelings of dependency and loss of control. Quality of life was lower than that reported in other studies and the items of emotional overload were the major contributors for these results. Distress was generally high with large component of emotional problems and an increase in physical problems in caregivers of patients in symptomatic treatment. Female caregivers played an increasingly important role throughout the progression of the disease and showed further deterioration of well-being. However, caregivers with a close relationship with the patient achieved better burden and quality of life scores, probably due to the reorganization along the progression of the disease. Regular assessment of caregiver aims to establish an early emotional and physical intervention, and should be included in the treatment plan of the patient.
In current clinical practice the main focus of attention is the patient, the caregiver remains in a marginal position. However, caregivers face emotional and physical challenges that evolve as the disease progresses. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of life, burden and distress of cancer patients caregivers throughout the stages of treatment. For this purpose, we selected a sample of 90 caregivers of patients in curative treatment, palliative chemotherapy and symptomatic treatment. The most common profile of the caregiver was female sex, median age 45 years, who is the spouse or daughter of the patient. Applying the selected scales (Zarit Burden Interview, Caregiver Quality of Life Index – Cancer (CQOLC) Scale and the Distress Thermometer) we found an increase in burden and distress levels, as well as decreased quality of life of caregivers throughout the disease progression. The caregivers burden was moderate and influenced by feelings of dependency and loss of control. Quality of life was lower than that reported in other studies and the items of emotional overload were the major contributors for these results. Distress was generally high with large component of emotional problems and an increase in physical problems in caregivers of patients in symptomatic treatment. Female caregivers played an increasingly important role throughout the progression of the disease and showed further deterioration of well-being. However, caregivers with a close relationship with the patient achieved better burden and quality of life scores, probably due to the reorganization along the progression of the disease. Regular assessment of caregiver aims to establish an early emotional and physical intervention, and should be included in the treatment plan of the patient.
Description
Keywords
Sobrecarga do cuidador Qualidade de vida Distress Cuidados paliativos Caregiver burden Quality of life Palliative care