The interaction of age, symptoms, and survival status on physical and mental health of patients with cancer and their families

✍ Scribed by Margot E. Kurtz; Charles W. Given; Barbara A. Given; J. C. Kurtz

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1994
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 773 KB
• Volume: 74
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0008-543X
• DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(19941001)74:7+<2071::aid-cncr2820741715>3.0.co;2-r

✦ Synopsis

Background. During the course of cancer treatment and as the disease progresses, symptoms may worsen and physical status may deteriorate. The interaction of age, symptoms, and nearness to death on the physical and mental health of patients and family members has not been examined.

The research questions in this paper focus on how age and survival status influence the frequency and severity of patients' symptoms and dependencies in functioning. The impact of patient age and survival status on family depression, schedule, and health also are explored.

Methods. Cancer patients in treatment and their caregiver dyads [n = 208) were followed for 12 months. Survival status was measured by those who survived the year, those who died within 6 months, and those who died between 6 and 12 months. Measures used included frequency and severity counts of patient symptoms, functioning (activities of daily living [ADL] and immobility), depression, frequency of others' assistance to caregivers, and caregiver reactions to care. Analysis of variance was applied to test for significant differences according to age and survival status.

Results. Symptoms did vary significantly by survival status; however, age demonstrated no independent effect on patient variables including: symptom severity, patient