Health-related quality of life in family members of cancer survivors: A comparison with general population norms.

Abstract

e16529 Background: Family caregiver burden is emerging as an important issue as number of cancer survivors increase. We hypothesized that presence of cancer survivor may influence the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of family members. Thus, we examined the HRQL of family members with cancer survivors in comparison with general population norms. Methods: Using the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES IV) (2007–2009) data, we performed matching analysis to compare characteristics of cancer family vs. non-cancer family. The primary outcomes were EQ-5D and EQ-visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and generalized linear model was used. Results: Compared with general population norms, cancer family members were less employed (57.9% vs. 63.0%, P<0.001) and had higher functional limitation (20.2% vs. 16.5%, P=0.032). Moreover, cancer family members had higher level of stress (70.5% vs. 65.4%, P=0.008) and history of depression (12.9% vs. 10.2%, P=0.035). The mean EQ-5D and EQ-VAS scores were similar between the two groups. In multilevel models, EQ-5D was significantly associated with household income and education level (all P<0.001). EQ-VAS was associated with presence of cancer survivor (β=3.393, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.018~5.769, P=0.052) along with household income (β=3.815, 95% CI 0.662~6.696, P=0.018), education level (β=5.663, 95% CI 2.663~8.662, P<0.001), employment status (β=5.624, 95% CI 2.858~8.390, P<0.001), functional limitation (β=-10.83, 95% CI -13.509~-8.151, P<0.001), and level of stress (β=-4.555, 95% CI -7.030~-2.080, P=0.003). Conclusions: EQ-VAS was significantly associated with presence of cancer survivor in a family. More attention should be given to family caregivers of cancer survivors and dynamic approaches to evaluate cancer survivorship and its influence on family members are required in the future.