Validating the positive impact of in-hospital lay care-partner support on patient survival in allogeneic BMT: a prospective study

Bone Marrow Transplant. 2013 May;48(5):671-7. doi: 10.1038/bmt.2012.208. Epub 2012 Oct 29.

Abstract

This prospective study validates the finding from retrospective research that having an inpatient lay care-partner (CP) is associated with better survival following allogeneic BMT. Compared with patients without a CP (n=76), patients with a CP (n=88) have significantly better OS (P=0.017) and relapse-free survival (RFS) (P=0.020). Four-year and median survivals were 42% and 36 months among patients with CPs, compared with 26% and 10 months among those without CPs. Four-year survival and median RFS were 39% and 25 months among those with CPs, compared with 23% and 7 months among those without CPs. Further, better survival and RFS were associated with CP visit duration of >3 h per day (P=0.005 and P=0.007, respectively) and with CP frequency of visits >75% of inpatient days (P=0.004 and P=0.010, respectively). A CP support program should encourage not only presence of a CP but also duration and frequency of CP visits associated with better patient survival.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / methods*
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inpatients / psychology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Care / methods*
  • Patient Care / psychology*
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Social Support
  • Survival Analysis
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult