The Unmet Needs of Pancreatic Cancer Carers Are Associated with Anxiety and Depression in Patients and Carers

Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates, and patients experience debilitating symptoms. Family carers provide essential daily care. This study determined the prevalence of and risk factors for unmet supportive care needs among carers for pancreatic cancer patients and examined which c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cancers 2023-11, Vol.15 (22), p.5307
Main Authors: Huynh, Thi N. T, Hartel, Gunter, Janda, Monika, Wyld, David, Merrett, Neil, Gooden, Helen, Neale, Rachel E, Beesley, Vanessa L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety
Cancer patients
Caregivers
Health care
Health risk assessment
Internal validity
Medical research
Medicine, Experimental
Mental depression
Metastasis
Missing data
Nominations
Palliative treatment
Pancreatic cancer
Patients
Population studies
Questionnaires
Risk factors
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Summary:Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates, and patients experience debilitating symptoms. Family carers provide essential daily care. This study determined the prevalence of and risk factors for unmet supportive care needs among carers for pancreatic cancer patients and examined which carer needs were associated with anxiety and depression in carers and patients. Eighty-four pancreatic cancer patients and their carers were recruited. The carers completed a needs survey (SCNS-P&C). Both carers and patients completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Log binomial regression was used to identify associations between carer needs and anxiety and depression among carers and patients. The top 10 moderate-to-high unmet needs reported by ≥28% of carers were related to healthcare (e.g., discussing concerns with doctors) and information need domains (e.g., information about a patient’s physical needs), plus one other item related to hospital parking. Being male or caring for a patient within 4 months of their diagnosis were associated with greater unmet needs. Some unmet needs, including ‘accessing information about treatments’ and ‘being involved in patient care’, were associated with both carers and patients having anxiety and depression. Carers should be involved in health care consultations and provided with information and opportunities to discuss concerns.
ISSN:2072-6694
2072-6694
DOI:10.3390/cancers15225307