Quality of Life of Caregivers of Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Abstract Background Cancer is a chronic and serious disease that has a wide range of effects on patients. Some of these effects extend to family members and primary caregivers (PCs), thereby impacting their quality of life (QOL). The aim of this study is to evaluate the QOL of PCs of patients with cancer and to investigate the sociodemographic and other factors that impact PCs’ QOL. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out at the Princess Noura Oncology Center (PNOC), King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah. A total of 235 PCs were included in this study. A short-form health survey, the SF-36, which includes eight domains, was used to measure the QOL of the patients’ caregivers. The relationship between the QOL of PCs and the characteristics of the patients and PCs was examined. Results The PCs’ QOL was associated with several variables. Results of the multiple regression analysis showed that age, sex of the patient and caregiver, and classification of cancer were independently and significantly associated with QOL. Older, female, and hematological patient’s PCs had lower QOL of life; whereas, PCs caring for a female patient experienced a better QOL of life. Conclusion These findings highlight the essential aspects of the QOL of Saudi caregivers and their influencing factors. To better understand the implications of these factors, future studies are required to demonstrate the effects of patient- and disease-related factors on PCs’ QOL.