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Fatigue in relatives of palliative patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 June 2009

Maria E. Carlsson
Maria E. Carlsson*
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Maria E. Carlsson, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Döbelnsgatan 2 S 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objectives:

The relatives’ burdens in palliative care are considerable and may cause fatigue. The overall aim of this study was to gain a greater understanding of fatigue in relatives of patients cared for in palliative care settings.

Methods:

This study has a descriptive, comparative, and cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of relatives of all patients cared for in palliative care settings in Uppsala County during a specific day. Relatives completed a questionnaire consisting of the Multidimensional Fatique Inventory (MFI-20) and questions from the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) and Karolinska Sleep questionnaire (KSQ).

Results:

Relatives (n = 56) scored high on every dimension on the MFI-20 scale. Two significant negative correlations were found to exist between age and fatigue, with younger relatives reporting more mental fatigue (p < .01) and more reduced activity (p < .01) than older relatives. Relatives of patients in institutional care had higher values concerning mental fatigue (p < .01) and reduced motivation (p < .05). Relatives of mostly bedridden patients were significantly more tired but did not have significantly less motivation than relatives of mostly ambulatory patients.

Significance of results:

The findings imply that fatigue is highly prevalent in relatives of patients in palliative care. The sample in this study scored higher in comparison with norm values and also in comparison with relatives of patients with end-stage renal disease. Their scores were similar to those of cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.

Keywords

RelativesFatiguePalliative care settings
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 7 , Issue 2 , June 2009 , pp. 207 - 211
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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