Blood Res.  2019 Jun;54(2):137-143. 10.5045/br.2019.54.2.137.

Comparison of quality of life and depression between hematopoietic stem cell transplantation survivors and their spouse caregivers

• Park S
• Choi EK
• Kim IR
• Cho J
• Jang JH

• KMID: 2451015
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5045/br.2019.54.2.137

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an exhausting process that impacts both the patient and caregiver.
METHODS
This was a cross-sectional, HSCT survivor-spouse caregiver matching study to determine quality of life (QoL) and depression among HSCT survivors and their caregivers. QoL and depression were measured with the World Health Organization Quality of Life: Brief Version (26 items) and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, respectively. Data from 97 married couples were analyzed.
RESULTS
There were no significant differences in overall QoL and psychological, social, and environmental health between survivors and spouse caregivers (P=0.345, 0.424, 0.415, and 0.253); however, physical QoL was better in the spouse caregiver group (P=0.011). There was no difference in mean depression scale scores (5.3 vs. 5.1, P=0.812) or proportion of severe depression (15.6% vs. 13.7%, P=0.270) between the two groups. We found that family income had a significant impact on overall QoL and environmental health among spouse caregivers (P=0.013 and 0.023), and female gender, co-morbidities, and family income were the important factors associated with depression among spouse caregivers (P=0.007, 0.017 and 0.049).
CONCLUSION
This study found that there were no significant differences in QoL or level of depression between HSCT survivors and their spouse caregivers. Family income, gender, and co-morbidities showed significant association with spouse caregiver distress.

Keyword

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; Survivor; Caregiver; Quality of life; Depression

MeSH Terms

Caregivers*
Depression*
Environmental Health
Family Characteristics
Female
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
Hematopoietic Stem Cells*
Humans
Quality of Life*
Spouses*
Survivors
World Health Organization

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Flow diagram of subject enrollment.

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