biostudies-literatureUnknown24(5)Pivodic L<h4>Background</h4>The rising number of deaths from cancer and other life-limiting illnesses is accompanied by a growing number of family carers who provide long-lasting care, including end-of-life care. This population-based epidemiological study aimed to describe and compare in four European countries the prevalence of and factors associated with physical or emotional overburden and difficulties in covering care-related costs among family carers of people at the end of life.<h4>Methods</h4>A cross-national retrospective study was conducted via nationwide representative sentinel networks of general practitioners (GPs). Using a standardized form, GPs in Belgium, The Netherlands, Italy and Spain recorded information on the last 3 months of life of every deceased adult practice patient (1 January 2009-31 December 2010). Sudden deaths were excluded.<h4>Results</h4>We studied 4466 deaths. GPs judged family carers of 28% (Belgium), 30% (The Netherlands), 35% (Spain) and 71% (Italy) of patients as physically/emotionally overburdened (P < 0.001). For 8% (Spain), 14% (Belgium), 36% (The Netherlands) and 43% (Italy) patients, GPs reported difficulties in covering care-related costs (P < 0.001). Patients <85 years of age (Belgium, Italy) had higher odds of having physically/emotionally overburdened family carers and financial burden. Death from non-malignant illness (vs. cancer) (Belgium and Italy) and dying at home compared with other locations (The Netherlands and Italy) were associated with higher odds of difficulties in covering care-related costs.<h4>Conclusion</h4>In all countries studied, and particularly in Italy, GPs observed a considerable extent of physical/emotional overburden as well as difficulties in covering care-related costs among family carers of people at the end of life. Implications for health- and social care policies are discussed.European journal of public health819-26https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4168044biostudies-literatureBurden on family carers and care-related financial strain at the end of life: a cross-national population-based study.PMC4168044Pautex SDe Groote ZBrearley SLinden KOnwuteaka-Philipsen BDPasman RDonker GAPardon KMiccinesi GHarding RPivodic LVan den Block LPayne SVega Alonso TKaasa SDeliens LCaraceni AOnwuteaka-Philipsen BEURO IMPACTFrancke AHigginson IJLopez-Maside ACohen JCancian MBoffin NfalseBurden on family carers and care-related financial strain at the end of life: a cross-national population-based study.<h4>Background</h4>The rising number of deaths from cancer and other life-limiting illnesses is accompanied by a growing number of family carers who provide long-lasting care, including end-of-life care. This population-based epidemiological study aimed to describe and compare in four European countries the prevalence of and factors associated with physical or emotional overburden and difficulties in covering care-related costs among family carers of people at the end of life.<h4>Methods</h4>A cross-national retrospective study was conducted via nationwide representative sentinel networks of general practitioners (GPs). Using a standardized form, GPs in Belgium, The Netherlands, Italy and Spain recorded information on the last 3 months of life of every deceased adult practice patient (1 January 2009-31 December 2010). Sudden deaths were excluded.<h4>Results</h4>We studied 4466 deaths. GPs judged family carers of 28% (Belgium), 30% (The Netherlands), 35% (Spain) and 71% (Italy) of patients as physically/emotionally overburdened (P < 0.001). For 8% (Spain), 14% (Belgium), 36% (The Netherlands) and 43% (Italy) patients, GPs reported difficulties in covering care-related costs (P < 0.001). Patients <85 years of age (Belgium, Italy) had higher odds of having physically/emotionally overburdened family carers and financial burden. Death from non-malignant illness (vs. cancer) (Belgium and Italy) and dying at home compared with other locations (The Netherlands and Italy) were associated with higher odds of difficulties in covering care-related costs.<h4>Conclusion</h4>In all countries studied, and particularly in Italy, GPs observed a considerable extent of physical/emotional overburden as well as difficulties in covering care-related costs among family carers of people at the end of life. Implications for health- and social care policies are discussed.2014-01-01T00:00:00Z2014 Oct2021-02-21T07:02:43Z2019-03-27T01:35:55ZS-EPMC41680442464260210.1093/eurpub/cku026