J Cancer Res Ther. 2025 Jan 1;21(1):91-97. doi: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_709_24. Epub 2025 Apr 2.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: In low- to middle-income countries (LMICs) like India, oral cancer not only affects the patients but also imposes significant challenges on their informal caregivers. The objective of this study is to explore how the financial distress and mental well-being of early-stage compared to advanced-stage oral cancer patients impact the quality of life of their informal caregivers.
METHODS: An exploratory prospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary teaching hospital in India, enrolling 79 pairs of oral cancer patients and their informal caregivers from September 2019 to March 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the clinical staging of oral cancer: Group A (early-stage, n = 21) and Group B (advanced-stage, n = 58). The study employed the Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST FACIT), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaires to assess financial distress, psychological well-being, and quality of life, respectively. Data collection occurred at least 6 months post-treatment.
RESULTS: The study found no significant differences in the physical, psychological, or environmental quality of life domains between the two groups. However, caregivers of early-stage cancer patients (Group A) reported slightly higher scores in the social domain than caregivers of advanced-stage patients (Group B). However, this difference could not reach statistical significance. A trend towards significant financial toxicity was observed in Group B (P = 0.06), indicating increased financial distress among caregivers of advanced-stage oral cancer patients. Furthermore, depression in advanced-stage patients significantly impacted caregivers’ psychological (P < 0.05) and environmental (P < 0.05) quality of life domains.
CONCLUSION: This exploratory study highlights the impact of financial distress and mental well-being of oral cancer patients on the quality of life of their informal caregivers in an LMIC setting. While differences in caregivers’ quality of life between early and advanced-stage patients were not statistically significant, a trend toward greater financial toxicity and psychological impact among caregivers of advanced-stage patients was observed. These findings underscore the need for targeted support interventions for caregivers, particularly focusing on financial and mental health assistance. As a preliminary investigation, this study emphasizes the importance of further research to develop comprehensive support strategies for caregivers in LMICs, aiming to enhance their overall quality of life.
PMID:40214359 | DOI:10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_709_24
Recent Comments