Family Members of Cancer Patients in Korea Are at an Increased Risk of Medically Diagnosed Depression

Abstract

ObjectivesFamily members are often cancer patients’ primary source of social and emotional support and make a major contribution to how well patients manage their illness. We compared the prevalence of depression in the family members of cancer patients and the general population. MethodsThis study used the data from the fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The variable of interest was the presence of a cohabitating cancer patient in the family and the dependent variable was the presence of diagnosed depression. ResultsThe odds of having medically diagnosed depression in those with a cohabitating cancer patient in the family were significantly higher than among those who did not have cancer patients in their families (odds ratio [OR], 1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 2.17; p=0.009). The OR for females was 1.59, and this increase was statistically significant (95% CI, 1.09 to 2.31; p=0.02). ConclusionsWe need to invest more effort into diagnosing and managing depression in the family members of cancer patients. This will have an impact both on their quality of life and on the well-being of patients, as supporters and caregivers play an instrumental role in helping patients manage their illness.

Caregiving experiences of Korean family caregivers of cancer patients: An integrative literature review

“…First, family caregivers are primary and the most important source of support and directly affect quality of life, treatment, prognosis, and survival rates of patients with cancer. 10,11 Therefore, physical, emotional, and practical problems faced by family members are very significant issues. 10 Second, although family caregivers themselves suffer from physical (eg, fatigue and sleep disorders), psychological (eg, depression and guilt), economic (eg, medical expenses) and social aspects (eg, changes in lifestyle), family caregivers are often neglected and become invisible patients in practice and research.…”

“…10,11 Therefore, physical, emotional, and practical problems faced by family members are very significant issues. 10 Second, although family caregivers themselves suffer from physical (eg, fatigue and sleep disorders), psychological (eg, depression and guilt), economic (eg, medical expenses) and social aspects (eg, changes in lifestyle), family caregivers are often neglected and become invisible patients in practice and research. 12,13 More seriously, empirical evidence shows that depression and anxiety among family caregivers is more severe than that of cancer patients.…”

“…Considering cancer's serious impact on patients and their families, special attention should be given to family caregivers for two reasons. First, family caregivers are primary and the most important source of support and directly affect quality of life, treatment, prognosis, and survival rates of patients with cancer 10,11 . Therefore, physical, emotional, and practical problems faced by family members are very significant issues 10 …”

Consistency between patients and families in recognizing cancer chemotherapy side effects: A questionnaire survey

“…33 Moreover, some studies have reported that the families of patients with cancer may experience emotional distress and depression. 34,35 Therefore, patients may avoid telling their families about invisible subjective symptoms like mental conflict or anxiety; the differences found here between patients and their families in recognizing invisible subjective symptoms may reflect this.…”

The Measure of the Family Caregivers’ Experience

“…Therefore, there is a need to personalize this assessment in terms of the experience, capacity and context of the caregiver [ 12 ]. The burden that caregivers are subjected to can be related to the presence of endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic conditions, resulting largely from the social isolation, lack of free time, low quality of life, and even a deteriorating economic situation [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. To measure this burden, there are some scales, being the Zarit Scale, the most used [ 18 , 19 ].…”