Caregiver burden due to long-term breathlessness: a hypothesis-generating study

To the Editor:
Long-term breathlessness is a debilitating symptom that affects people’s quality of life. When it limits everyday activitie, social isolation and greater physical dependence on others can also occur. Caregivers (i.e. family/friends who provide care/support to people with long-term breathlessness) experience significant burden due to their caregiving role. Living in a constant state of alertness and unpredictability, with increased responsibilities in the relationship and at home, can affect their mental and physical health and increase social isolation [3, 4]. Clinicians’ lack of acknowledgment or support may also add to their burden and minimise any positive aspects of caregiving. A better understanding of factors associated with caregiver burden is critical for developing targeted, person-centred support for caregivers of people with long-term breathlessness. This study aimed to explore which caregiver or patient factors may be associated with burden for caregivers of people with long-term breathlessness and COPD.