Physical and Cognitive Factors Associated with Self-Perceived Burden in Patients with Advanced Cancer

Self-perceived burden (SPB) is the perception of burden on caregivers felt by patients who require long-term care. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of physical function, pain, and recognition of equity-inequity on SPB among patients with advanced cancer. We administered the Self-Perceived Burden Scale (SPBS) to evaluate SPB in 100 patients with advanced cancer. We analysed the data using multiple regression analysis with SPBS score as the dependent variable and patient age, caregiver age, duration of nursing care, performance status, pain, and recognition of equity-inequity as independent variables. The response rate was 62% (62 patients). Recognition of equity-inequity (β = 0.464, p < 0.001) and performance status (β = 0.248, p = 0.038) were significantly associated with SPBS score. The explanatory power of the model was 34.4%. These results suggest that future investigations should focus on recognition of equity-inequity and performance status as factors that can reduce SPB.