Quality Of Life In Partners Research Articles

Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Quality of Life In Partners of Patients with Prostate Cancer

Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Quality of Life In Partners of Patients with Prostate Cancer

Behavioral Interventions to Prevent or Delay Dementia: Protocol for a Randomized Comparative Effectiveness Study.

BackgroundCurrently, people at risk for dementia and their caregivers are confronted with confusing choices about what behavioral interventions are most effective.ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to determine which empirically supported behavioral interventions most impact the outcomes highly valued by patients with mild cognitive impairment and their partners.MethodsThis protocol describes a comparative effectiveness trial targeting 300 participants with mild cognitive impairment and their study partners. The trial is being conducted at the Mayo Clinic campuses in Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, and the University of Washington in Seattle. The study examines the contribution of five behavioral interventions (yoga, memory compensation training, computerized cognitive training, support groups, and wellness education) on primary outcomes of participant and partner quality of life and self-efficacy. In this unique 10-day multicomponent intervention, groups of couples were randomized to have one of the five interventions withheld while receiving the other four. Although the longitudinal follow-up is still under way, enrollment results are available and reported.ResultsIn total, 272 couples have been enrolled in the trial and follow-up visits continue. Outcomes will be assessed at the end-of-intervention and 6-, 12-, and 18-month follow-ups. We anticipate reporting on our primary and secondary outcomes across time points in the next 2 years.ConclusionsThis paper describes the protocol for a randomized comparative effectiveness study of behavioral interventions to prevent or delay dementia. We describe of the rationale, design, power analysis, and analysis plan. Also because enrollment is complete and we are in follow-up phases of the study, we have included enrollment data from the trial.Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02265757; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ctsshow/ NCT02265757 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6ueRfwSYv)

Perceived quality of life in partners of patients undergoing treatment in somatic health, mental health, or substance use disorder units: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThis study explores (1) differences in socio-demographic, social/familial, and health variables and perceived quality of life (QoL) among partners of patients with somatic illness, mental illness, or substance use disorder (SUD); and (2) identifies factors associated with QoL.MethodsParticipants (N = 213) in this cross-sectional study were recruited from inpatient or outpatient services in five hospitals in Norway, 2013–2014. QoL was measured by the QoL-5, a generic five-item questionnaire. Differences between groups were examined using Chi-square for categorical variables and Kruskal-Wallis for contiuous variables. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine factors associated with QoL.ResultsThe mean QoL score was similar to that of a general population sample, and 13% of the sample had a markedly low QoL. Partners in the SUD group experienced worse socio-demographic conditions in terms of occupation and income, but QoL did not differ significantly among the three groups. In a regression model, perceived family cohesion was positively associated with QoL while psychological distress (Symptom Checklist-10) was negatively related to it. The model explained 56% of the variance in QoL.ConclusionsWhen patients are ill, clinicians should consider the partners’ QoL, and brief QoL tools can be used to identify those who are struggling most. Reduced QoL is associated with higher psychological distress and lower family cohesion. Treatment initiatives focusing on these themes may serve as preventive measures to help the most vulnerable families cope with their difficult life situation.

Development and pilot test of a dyadic psychosocial intervention for couples coping with head and neck cancer.

187 Background: Patients receiving radiotherapy for head and neck cancers (HNCs) experience significant persistent side effects such as abnormally reduced salivation, difficulty swallowing, and taste changes. To control these side effects and minimize discomfort, intensive self-care protocols are prescribed, but adherence is poor. Spouses/partners play a critical role in supporting adherence, but often lack knowledge, experience high rates of distress, and display poor communication that can interfere with patient self-management and self-care. Methods: We developed and pilot-tested a skills-training intervention comprised of tailored manuals and 6 counseling sessions delivered over the telephone to HNC patients and their partners. The goal is to reduce healthcare utilization and improve patient and partner quality of life (QOL). To guide the development and content of the intervention, qualitative interviews with 6 HNC patients (83% male) and 6 spouses were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. For the pilot test, couples completed surveys prior to initiating radiotherapy and were randomized to the intervention or usual medical care. Eight weeks later, they completed follow-up surveys. Results: Based on the qualitative findings, we developed the intervention to teach: 1) self-management skills; 2) communication skills; and 3) strategies to improve communal coping and confidence in the ability to work as a team. To date, 20 couples (Mean Age = 57 years; SD = 8) have participated. Solid recruitment (83%) and low attrition rates demonstrate feasibility. Strong program evaluations (Mean = 8.7 out of 10) and homework completion rates (85%) support acceptability. Conclusions: This is the first program in HNC that actively involves both members of the couple to address barriers in the home environment in which self-management occurs. By empowering couples with the skills to coordinate care and support, the program holds great promise for improving self-management behaviors, reducing costly hospitalizations and treatment interruptions, and improving patient and partner QOL.

Comparison of patient and partner quality of life and health outcomes in the first year after an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).

Recovery following an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) impacts both the patient and partner, often in divergent ways. Patients may have had a cardiac arrest or cardiac arrhythmias, whereas partners may have to perform CPR and manage the ongoing challenges of heart disease therapy. Currently, support for post-ICD care focuses primarily on restoring patient functioning with few interventions available to partners who serve as primary support. This descriptive study examined and compared patterns of change for both patients and partners during the first year post-ICD implantation. For this longitudinal study, the sample included 42 of 55 (76.4 %) patient-partner dyads who participated in the 'usual care' group of a larger intervention RCT with patients following ICD implant for secondary prevention of cardiac arrest. Measures taken at across five time points (at hospital discharge and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months follow up) tracked physical function (SF-12 PCS, symptoms); psychological adjustment (SF-12 MCS; State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; CES-D); relationship impact (Family Functioning, DOII; Mutuality and Interpersonal Sensitivity, MIS); and healthcare utilization (ED visits, outpatient visits, hospitalizations). Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to characterize and compare outcome trends for patients and partners across the first 12 months of recovery. Patients were 66.5 ± 11.3 (mean + SD) years old, predominately Caucasian male (91 %), with Charlson co-morbidities of 4.4 ± 2.4. Partners were 62.5 ± 11.1 years old, predominantly female (91 %) with Charlson co-morbidities of 2.9 ± 3.0. Patient versus partner differences were observed in the pattern of physical health (F = 10.8, p < 0.0001); patient physical health improved while partner health showed few changes. For partners compared to patients, anxiety, depression, and illness demands on family functioning tended to be higher. Patient mutuality was stable, while partner mutuality increased steadily (F = 2.5, p = 0.05). Patient sensitivity was highest at discharge and declined; partner sensitivity increased (F = 10.2, p < 0.0001) across the 12-month recovery. Outpatient visits for patients versus partners differed (F = 5.0, p = 0.008) due most likely to the number of required patient ICD visits. Total hospitalizations and ED visits were higher for patients versus partners, but not significantly. The findings highlight the potential reciprocal influences of patient and partner responses to the ICD experience on health outcomes. Warranted are new, sound and feasible strategies to counterbalance partner needs while simultaneously optimizing patient recovery outcomes.

Caregiving, dyadic quality of life and dyadic relationships in lupus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) mostly affects young women, adversely affecting their quality of life (QOL). Caregivers may experience caregiver burden (CGB), and it may lower the quality of their relationship. Herein we studied caregiving and CGB and their effects on QOL and relationships in SLE. We recruited 10 dyads from the Lupus Clinic. Data collected included demographics, CGB (CGB Scale, screen for CGB), QOL (SF-36) and the quality of the dyadic relationship (Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS)). We calculated correlation coefficients for associations between (i) CGB and (ii) dyadic QOL or DAS. The mean (± SD) age of SLE patients was 35.2 (± 9) years and of caregivers was 37.3 (± 9.64) years. The mean (± SD, min-max) total CGB score was 9.1 (± 5.8, 0-19). The caregiver's QOL correlated strongly with some of the domains of the patient's QOL. The SLE-related CGB was associated with the caregiver's own QOL and their SLE partner's QOL. The dyadic DAS was linked to the patient's QOL. Because (i) CGB in SLE is associated with the caregiver's own QOL and with their SLE partner's QOL, and because (ii) the dyadic DAS score is linked primarily to the patient's QOL, then to optimize patient health outcomes and to decrease CGB, focus should be not only on the patient but should include the dyadic unit.Significant findings: To optimize patient outcomes of SLE patients, focus should be on the dyadic unit. CGB in SLE is associated with the caregiver's own QOL and with the SLE partner's QOL, making it crucial to study this relationship in more detail.

Sleep and partner-specific quality of life in partners of men with lower urinary tract symptoms compared with partners of men from the general population

Objective. The aims of this study were to examine differences between partners of men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) and partners of men from the population regarding sleep and two aspects of quality of life, partner-specific quality of life and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and to identify factors related to the partner-specific quality of life and the parameter sleep efficiency. Materials and methods. The design was descriptive and comparative. The subjects were partners of men with LUTS suggestive of BPO (n = 126) and partners of randomly selected men from the general population (n = 131). Self-administered questionnaires about demography, comorbidity, sleep, sexuality, partner-specific quality of life and HRQoL were used. Results. Partners of men with LUTS suggestive of BPO were significantly more affected in all variables measuring partner-specific quality of life compared with partners from the population. The most impaired aspects were compassion and worry about an operation or cancer. In logistic regression, the only explanatory factors were having a partner belonging to the LUTS group for impaired partner-specific quality of life and having a bed partner for high sleep efficiency. There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding the quantity and quality of sleep or the HRQoL. Conclusions. The partner-specific quality of life was impaired in partners of men with LUTS suggestive of BPO. Sleep and HRQoL did not differ between partners of men with LUTS and partners from the population.

Health-related quality of life in partners of persons with MS: a longitudinal 10-year perspective

ObjectivesMultiple sclerosis (MS) impacts the health-related quality of life (HRQL) in partners, but knowledge on the longitudinal perspective is needed. The aim was to analyse HRQL in partners of persons...

Communication, coping, and quality of life of breast cancer survivors and family/friend dyads: a pilot study of Chinese‐Americans and Korean‐Americans

This study aimed to understand the dyadic relationships between family communication and quality of life (QOL) and between coping and QOL in Chinese-American and Korean-American breast cancer survivor (BCS)-family member dyads. A cross-sectional survey design was used. A total of 32 Chinese-American and Korean-American BCS-family member dyads were recruited from the California Cancer Surveillance Program and area hospitals in Los Angeles County, California, USA. The dyadic data were analyzed using a pooled regression actor-partner interdependence model. The study findings demonstrated that the survivors' general communication and use of reframing coping positively predicted their own QOL. The survivors' and family members' general communication was also a strong predictor of the family members' physical-related QOL score specifically. Meanwhile, each person's use of mobilizing coping negatively predicted his or her partner's QOL. The study findings add important information to the scarce literature on the QOL of Asian-American survivors of breast cancer. The findings suggest that Chinese-American and Korean-American BCS and their family members may benefit from interventions that enhance communication and coping within the family unit.

Quality of life in partners of patients with localised prostate cancer

The diagnosis of prostate cancer and the following treatment does not only affect the patient, but also his partner. Partners often suffer even more severely from psychological distress than the patients themselves. This analysis aims to describe the quality of life (QoL) after the cancer diagnosis over time and to identify the effects of possible predictors of partners' quality of life in a German study population. Patients with localised prostate cancer and their partners were recruited from a prospective multicenter study in Germany, the Prostate Cancer, Sexuality, and Partnership (ProCaSP) Study. At five observation times during the follow-up period of 2years after diagnosis, QoL (EORTC QLQ-C30) and personal, social, and cancer-related health factors as well as adaptation and coping factors of 293 couples were observed and analysed with mixed effects analysis. The men's prostate cancer diagnosis had a small, but significant impact on their partner's QoL. However, QoL of partners was most affected by the partners' own physical health and psychological condition, time, and their relationship quality. The finding that average QoL increased again 3months after diagnosis and later should give partners faith and hope for the future. The identified most important predictors of partners' QoL are potentially susceptible to intervention, and further research on target groups in special need of support and on adequate interventions is needed.

A systematic review and meta‐analysis of psychosocial interventions for couples coping with cancer

Quality of life (QOL) is a multidimensional construct that includes physical, psychological, and relationship well-being. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies published between 1980 and 2012 of interventions conducted with both cancer patients and their partners that were aimed at improving QOL. Using bibliographic software and manual review, two independent raters reviewed 752 articles with a systematic process for reconciling disagreement, yielding 23 articles for systematic review and 20 for meta-analysis. Most studies were conducted in breast and prostate cancer populations. Study participants (N = 2645) were primarily middle aged (mean = 55 years old) and white (84%). For patients, the weighted average effect size (g) across studies was 0.25 (95% CI = 0.12-0.32) for psychological outcomes (17 studies), 0.31 (95% CI = 0.11-0.50) for physical outcomes (12 studies), and 0.28 (95% CI = 0.14-0.43) for relationship outcomes (10 studies). For partners, the weighted average effect size was 0.21 (95% CI = 0.08-0.34) for psychological outcomes (12 studies) and 0.24 (95% CI = 0.6-0.43) for relationship outcomes (7 studies). Therefore, couple-based interventions had small but beneficial effects in terms of improving multiple aspects of QOL for both patients and their partners. Questions remain regarding when such interventions should be delivered and for how long. Identifying theoretically based mediators and key features that distinguish couple-based from patient-only interventions may help strengthen their effects on patient and partner QOL.

Protocol-based Active Surveillance for Low-risk Prostate Cancer: Anxiety Levels in Both Men and Their Partners

To assess anxiety levels and health-related quality of life in partners of patients with prostate cancer (PCa) on active surveillance. For low-risk PCa, active surveillance is frequently chosen as a monitoring strategy. Active surveillance has been shown to be associated with low anxiety levels and a fair health-related quality of life in patients. However, little is known about the impact on their partners. We hypothesized that the latter suffer more from PCa diagnosis than the men themselves. Therefore, between February and August 2010, 133 couples-a response rate of 46.9%-completed a written questionnaire at their individual time lags from PCa diagnosis. A Wilcoxon test was performed to assess how distress levels affected the couples' quality of life. Binary logistic regression was used to determine factors affecting distress levels. The mean age was 66.2 years in partners and 69.3 in men. At the time quartiles, partners had anxiety scores of 5.5, 4.6, 5.4, and 5.6. Scores in men were statistically significantly lower: 3.9 (P = .05), 2.0 (P < .001), 3.3 (P = .002), and 3.3 (P = .02), respectively. However, the partners' scores were still well below 7 (ie, normal). Prostate-specific anxiety scores were below the clinical threshold as well: 15.5, 9.5, 6.5, and 9.0, respectively. Active surveillance preserves an encouragingly high health-related quality of life in both men on active surveillance and their partners. Fortunately, the more adverse values of the partners are well within the normal range and thus clinically not relevant.

Quality of Life, Social Challenges, and Psychosocial Support for Long-Term Survivors After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation

Over the last two decades quality of life (QoL) and the social challenges of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) survivors have been emerging as subjects of extensive research and are now considered as very important aspects in the pretransplant evaluation and management of allo-HSCT recipients. Recognition of QoL challenges in allo-HSCT survivors allows timely interventions leading to improvement of post-transplant outcomes. It needs to be recognized that long-lasting life changes associated with survivorship after allo-HSCT also significantly affect QoL of partners of allo-HSCT survivors. Currently, resources should be focused on how research findings can be used by patients, their partners, and physicians to optimize QoL and psychosocial adjustment.

Individual and dyadic relations between spiritual well‐being and quality of life among cancer survivors and their spousal caregivers

There is evidence that cancer generates existential and spiritual concerns for both survivors and caregivers, and that the survivor's spiritual well-being (SWB) is related to his/her own quality of life (QOL). Yet the degree to which the SWB of each member of the couple has an independent association with the partner's QOL is unknown. Thus, this study examined individual and dyadic associations of SWB with the QOL of couples dealing with cancer. A total of 361 married survivor-caregiver dyads participating in the American Cancer Society's Study of Cancer Survivors-I and Quality of Life Survey for Caregivers provided complete data for the study variables. SWB was measured using 12-item Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being (assessing faith, meaning, and peace) and QOL was measured using Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey. Actor and Partner Interdependence Model analyses revealed that each person's SWB was the strongest correlate of his or her own mental health (higher SWB, better mental health). Each person's SWB was also positively related to his or her partner's physical health. Results suggest that the ability to find meaning and peace may be an important part of overall well-being during the cancer experience for both survivors and caregivers. Interventions designed to assist survivors and caregivers to enhance their ability to find meaning and peace in the cancer experience may help them improve mental health of their own and the physical health of partners when they are dealing with cancer beyond the initial phase of the illness trajectory.

Cancer Patients With Pain

A diagnosis of cancer affects not only the patient but also his/her spouse/partner. In addition to facing a life-threatening illness, changes in role and financial threats can impact the dyad. This dyadic study examined the effects of financial concerns and pain on the quality of life (QOL) of cancer patients and their partners. The partner relationship and the partners' coping style were explored for mediating the couples' outcomes. Participants consisted of 177 dyads with both sexes as patients and partners in committed, heterosexual relationships. Patients had a mix of cancer diagnoses and were in various phases of treatment. Each participant completed 4 of the same instruments. Partners also completed coping and financial concerns measures, and patients completed pain and symptom distress measures. Pathway analysis, using structural equation modeling, examined the effects of pain and financial concerns on relationship quality, partners' coping style, and QOL for the dyad. Partners' coping style affected only their own QOL (0.16; P = .05). Pain had a significantly negative direct effect (-0.51; P = .05) on patients' QOL and no direct relationship to the partner's QOL. Financial concerns affected the QOL of both patients (-0.13; P = .05) and partners (-0.36; P = .05). The relationship mediated a decrease in patient pain from -0.51 to -0.58, a significant total effect (P = .05). The partners' relationship lessened pain's negative effect. Financial concerns were a significant issue for both dyad members, but the quality of the relationship was not compromised. Patients' pain may be affected by the quality of the marital relationship.

Emotional Distress in Partners of Patients with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator: A Systematic Review and Recommendations for Future Research

Both patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and their partners face challenges when adapting to the ICD. Distress is a burden on its own for partners but may also affect well being and health of patients. This review provides a systematic overview of the literature on psychological distress in partners of ICD patients and recommendations for future research. PubMed and PsycInfo were searched in March 2010 using a priori defined search terms. This search and the additional hand search resulted in 22 studies, of which 13 were quantitative and eight qualitative. Sample sizes in quantitative studies varied considerably from 10 to 196 partners, with only six of 13 studies including >50 partners. Partner levels of distress were at least on par with patient levels. The majority of large-scale studies suggested that partner distress levels decrease in the first year postimplantation. Most studies reported no impact of ICD shocks on distress levels or quality of life in partners. ICD indication as well as comorbid conditions, age, and the psychological profile of the partner were related to distress and quality of life. Domains of concern emerging from qualitative studies were related to care of the ICD patient, helplessness and uncertainties related to shocks, role changes, sexual activities, overprotectiveness, and driving. Partner levels of distress may be as high as that of ICD patients. Research with large samples is needed to further investigate the course and determinants of partner distress and the influence that partner distress may have on patient health outcomes.

Agreement on Perceptions of Quality of Life in Couples Dealing With Infertility

To examine the extent to which men and women seeking treatment for infertility were able to accurately perceive their partners' ratings of their quality of life (QOL). Cross-sectional prospective study. Quality of life was measured as a multidimensional construct. Assisted reproduction clinic of a university hospital. One hundred and sixty-two couples participated. The men's and women's mean ages were 36.1 and 32.1 years, respectively. Most participants had no children, and no previous assisted reproduction attempts. Men and women completed the World Health Organization-Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL-Brief) and the Beck Depression Inventory independently. Paired t tests were used to explore men's perceptions of their wives' QOL ratings and wives' perceptions of their husbands' ratings. Multiple regression and repeated-measures ANCOVA were used to examine the role of depression. Proxy assessments were consistently lower than self-reports on the domains of QOL. The influence of depression on agreement was minimal, and no gender effect was observed. Findings indicated little agreement in perceptions of the partner's QOL, with each partner tending to underrate the other's view. Practitioners need to consider the differences between partners to enable partners to better understand and support each other.

Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Prostate Cancer: Recommendations to Improve Patient and Partner Quality of Life

Because of improved prostate cancer detection, more patients begin androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) earlier and remain on it longer than before. Patients now may be androgen deprived for over a decade, even when they are otherwise free of cancer symptoms. An ADT Survivorship Working Group was formed to develop and evaluate interventions to limit the physiological and emotional trauma patients and their partners experience from this treatment. The multidisciplinary Working Group met for 2 days to define the challenges couples face when patients commence ADT. A writing sub-group was formed. It compiled the meeting's proceedings, reviewed the literature and, in consultation with the other members of the working group, wrote the manuscript. Expert opinion of the side effects of ADT that affect the quality of life (QOL) of patients and their partners and the recommendations for managing ADT to optimize QOL were based on the best available literature, clinical experience, and widespread internal discussions among Working Group members. Side effects identified as particularly challenging include: (i) body feminization; (ii) changes in sexual performance; (iii) relationship changes; (iv) cognitive and affective symptoms; and (v) fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression. Recommendations for managing ADT include providing information about ADT side effects before administration of ADT, and, where appropriate, providing referrals for psychosocial support. Sexual rehabilitation principles for persons with chronic illness may prove useful. Psychological interventions for sexual sequelae need to be offered and individualized to patients, regardless of their age or partnership. Support should also be offered to partners. Our hope is that this plan will serve as a guide for optimizing how ADT is carried out and improve the lives of androgen-deprived men and their intimate partners.

Benign Prostat Hiperplazili Hastaların Partnerlerinin Hayat Kalitesinin Değerlendirilmesi: Benign Prostat Hiperplazisi Kadınları Rahatsız Ediyor mu?

Objective: Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is a common health problem through-out the world. The aim of the study was to evaluate the consequence of BPH on partners by using Turkish version of a specific quality of life (QoL) scale for partners of BPH patients. Material and Methods: The study group consisted of partners of 300 BPH patients who were admitted to urology outpatient departments of two university hospitals (Düzce University and Celal Bayar University) with lower urinary tract symptoms. BPH patients were asked to fill out International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) form, while female partners were separately requested to complete the specific QoL questionnaire. Results: The mean age of patients with BPH was 63.8 ± 7.2 years and it was 56.3 ± 6.5 years for female partners. The results of the specific questionnaire showed that QoL of partners were significantly affected. Particularly, most of the the partners had the fear of cancer development and possibility of surgery for their husbands, 77% (231/300 partners) and 79% (237/300 partners), respectively. At night majority of partners woke up frequently because of their husbands, however mostl of them declared no or little disturbance in terms of being tired during the day. On the other hand, it was revealed that there was a significant correlation between QoL degrees of partners and IPSS values of BPH patients (p< 0.001; correlation coefficient 0.664). Conclusion: BPH significantly impairs the QoL of female partners. This negative impact correlates with the IPSS values of BPH patients. Therefore, the physicians should also consider burden of the female partners in the management of BPH patients.

Quality of life in partners of people with congestive heart failure: gender and involvement in care

This paper is a report of a study conducted to investigate quality of life in partners of people with congestive heart failure in comparison to individuals living with a healthy partner. Congestive heart failure is a chronic debilitating disease with severe symptoms and complex treatment. The support of partners is essential in the management of congestive heart failure. Living with a chronic illness generally affects the quality of life of patients and their partners. Data were collected using a cross-sectional, comparative design between October 2002 and February 2005 with 303 partners of people with congestive heart failure. Reference data were collected in 304 age- and gender-matched individuals living with a healthy partner, drawn from the general population. All respondents completed questionnaires at home on quality of life and general well-being. Analysis of variance was used to analyse the data. Overall, differences in quality of life between partners of people with heart failure and matched controls were small. However, substantial variation in the quality of life of partners was found by exploring the role of gender and involvement in care. Quality of life scores varied strongly for male and female partners who had to perform caregiving tasks. The performance of these caregiving tasks was negatively associated with the quality of life of female partners but not with that of male partners. Female partners especially should not be overlooked when they become involved in personal care tasks. Nurses should not be reluctant to involve male partners in caring for women with heart failure.