Caregiver burden in advanced cancer in tertiary care palliative medicine

During the period of caregiving, informal caregivers of incurably ill patients experience caregiving burden that is often overlooked since the focus is on the suffering of the care receiver. In Bangladesh, informal caregivers often cannot express their suffering as they are culturally obliged to take responsibility for sick family members. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 156 informal caregivers of patients with advanced cancer attending the Department of Palliative Medicine at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The sample was chosen consecutively based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a well-designed questionnaire. A previously translated and validated Bangla version of the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) was used to assess the burden of the informal caregivers.

The mean ZBI score of the informal caregivers was 28±11. The study found that caregiver burden was significantly associated with the relationship between the informal caregiver and the patient, as well as the caregiver's awareness of the patient's prognosis.

Currently, no facilities for informal caregivers are available in Bangladesh. As extended members of the patient's care team, the burden experienced by the caregivers needs to be given more attention and should be taken into account in healthcare.