Caregiver Burden of Outpatient ASCT for Multiple Myeloma

A study published in Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma & Leukemia evaluated the burden of outpatient autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT) on caregivers of patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

“The application of different models of AHCT in MM has demonstrated the feasibility and safety of outpatient-based programs of care,” the study authors wrote. “Although several systematic reviews have evaluated the burden of caregivers, only a few studies have included outpatient AHCT.”

For this study, the investigators compared feelings of family support, daily activity, and general health between caregivers of patients with MM who underwent inpatient versus outpatient AHCT. In total, 71 patients received inpatient and 25 received outpatient transplant. Outcomes were measured before and three months after AHCT.

The results showed no significant difference in any category between in- and outpatient AHCT before or after transplant. Multivariate modeling found these outcomes were independent of both patient and caregiver characteristics. The investigators did find that caregivers’ work and patient age did impact daily activities and disease burden over time (P <0.05)

“The outpatient model neither improves nor impairs global caregivers’ burden compared with standard AHCT care,” the authors concluded. “Further research is needed to confirm this observation and to better assess the burden and quality of life of caregivers and their influence on patient outcomes and quality of life.”