AI Article Synopsis
- - Glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor common in adults, leads to significant challenges for both patients and caregivers, affecting cognition, behavior, and the caregiving experience.
- - A study involving 45 glioblastoma patients revealed that caregivers reported high levels of fatigue, sadness, and low quality of life during the patients' end-of-life phase, alongside feelings of burnout and lack of information.
- - There is a critical need for psychological support and training for caregivers, as well as a multidisciplinary support program to help manage and reduce caregiver burden during this challenging time.
Article Abstract
Background: Glioblastoma is the most common aggressive primary brain tumor in adults. Changes in cognition, personality, and behavior of patients as well as side effects of treatments cause unique challenges for providing care and may impact caregiver burden in different ways.
Methods: This retrospective study included 45 patients with a diagnosis of glioblastoma treated between January 2022 and June 2023 in 2 neurosurgical departments. We investigated the quality of life and the experiences of patients with glioblastoma and caregivers in the end-of-life phase using a validated questionnaire consisting of 38 questions related to the caregiver's view of the patient's terminal phase and another 26 questions regarding caregiver's experiences and emotions during the last 3 months of the patient's life.
Results: Fatigue, reduced consciousness, and sadness were the most common patient symptoms reported by their caregivers. The reported quality of life of caregivers was low and in accordance with the quality of life that they attributed to the patient. Symptoms of burnout and feelings of insufficient information emphasize the urgent need for psychological support and training dedicated to caregivers.
Conclusions: The end-of-life phases of patients with glioblastoma represent a critical factor that significantly affects not only the patient but also the caregiver's burden, caregiving tasks, and time. A multidisciplinary support program is needed to address and improve caregivers' burden.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2024.08.114 | DOI Listing |
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