The Investigation Of Care Burden In Spouses Of Patients With Breast Cancer And Analysis Of Associated Factors

Objective:This study described the status of quality of life in spouses of patients with breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the care burden and influencing factors of their spouses, and provide effective evidence in improving the quality of life of breast cancer patients and spouses.Methods:A total of 116 cases of spouses were interviewed in Shanxi Dayi Hospital Breast Surgery between April,2015 to November, 2015. Questionnaire were used to evaluate the spouses quality of life, including the General Information Questionnaire(self-command),the Chinese version of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form(SF-36) and the Zarit Caregiver Burden scale(Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview, ZBI). Factors affecting the care burden of spouses were also analyzed.Results:The age of 116 cases spouses range from 28-68 years old, the median age is 52 years old. The general health score was(70.99±13.27) points of spouses. Scores for VT(Vitality), RE(Role-Emotional) and MH(Mental Health) were lower in spouses,especially in the mental and psychological health. Spouses of women with breast cancer have mild-moderate overall care burden. The results showed that mild burden accounted for 42% and moderate-heavy burden accounted for 58%. Our analysis indicated that spouse age, the education level, employment status, family income, the pathological staging of tumors were risk factors of care burden of spouses( P <0.05). The pathological staging of tumor significantly affect care burden of spouse in multiple variables analysis.Conclusion:Our study suggest that breast cancer patients spouses in poor quality of life, especially in mental health. To improve the quality of life of the spouses whose wives have breast cancer, we should pay attention to their mental health, especially social pressure and emotional mental problems. The majority of spouses of breast cancer patient have mildto- moderate care burden. A variety of factors affect their care burden especially pathological staging of tumor. Therefore, enhance the patients’ health awareness, early screening for breast cancer, improve the quality of screening, give early diagnosis, early treatment, try to diagnosis the breast cancer when it is in the early stage of pathological could significantly reduce the care burden of spouse with breast cancer patients. It is necessary to set normative treatment and care measures in order to improve the spouse’s quality of life.