Patient-caregiver dyads in pancreatic cancer: Identification of patient and caregiver factors associated with caregiver well-being

Abstract Background: There is a paucity of studies that address the stressors and associated risk factors amongst pancreatic cancer patients and their caregivers. We aimed to examine the psychosocial well-being in the patient-caregiver dyad, and to determine pancreas cancer patient and caregiver characteristics that predict caregiver distress.Methods: Demographics and caregiving characteristics were gathered from patient and patient-caregiver dyads. Primary caregivers completed validated instruments investigating anxiety, depression, perceived stress and caregiver burden. Both caregivers and patients completed the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer. Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test was used to compare categorical variables. Continuous variables per group were reported as mean (standard deviation). Demographics, patient and caregiving characteristics were analyzed as predictors of caregiver distress using t-tests, Kruskal-Wallis, and regression analyses.Results: A total of 128 patient-caregiver dyads were enrolled over a period of eleven consecutive months. Patient and caregiver distress scores were not affected by patient clinical disease burden. Patient distress was a significant predictor of caregiver distress, anxiety, depression, and perceived caregiver burden. Younger caregiver age was also associated with higher caregiver anxiety and perceived burden. Additional predictors of caregiver depression and perceived stress included number of “other” caregiving activities (e.g., provision of emotional support, decision-making support) and overall health status.Conclusion: We identified particular patient and caregiver variables which negatively impact the well-being of pancreatic cancer caregivers. Future efforts should focus on development and implementation of more comprehensive caregiver support programs for those at highest risk for psychosocial distress.