Maternal stress during pregnancy is associated with negative maternal/child outcomes. One potential biomarker of the maternal stress response is cortisol, a product of activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. This study evaluated cortisol levels in hair throughout pregnancy as a marker of total cortisol release. Cortisol levels in hair have been shown to be easily quantifiable and may be representative of total cortisol release more than single saliva or serum measures. Hair cortisol provides a simple way to monitor total cortisol release over an extended period of time. Hair cortisol levels were determined from each trimester (15, 26 and 36 wks gestation) and 3 months postpartum. Hair cortisol levels were compared to diurnal salivary cortisol collected over 3 days (3 times/day) at 14, 18, 23, 29, and 34 wks gestational age and 6 wks postpartum from 21 pregnant women. Both salivary and hair cortisol levels rose during pregnancy as expected. Hair cortisol and diurnal salivary cortisol area under the curve with respect to ground (AUCg) were also correlated throughout pregnancy. Levels of cortisol in hair are a valid and useful tool to measure long-term cortisol activity. Hair cortisol avoids methodological problems associated with collection other cortisol measures such as plasma, urine, or saliva and is a reliable metric of HPA activity throughout pregnancy reflecting total cortisol release over an extended period.

Caregivers of patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants (Allo-HSCT) serve a pivotal role in patient care but experience high stress, anxiety, and depression as a result. We theorized that a stress management adapted for Allo-HSCT caregivers would reduce distress compared to treatment as usual (TAU). From 267 consecutive caregivers of Allo-HSCT patients approached, 148 (mean=53.5 years, 75.7% female) were randomized to either psychosocial intervention (n=74) or TAU (n=74). Eight 1-on-1 stress management sessions delivered across the 100 day post-transplant period focused on understanding stress, changing role(s) as caregiver, cognitive behavioral stress management, pacing respiration, and identifying social support. Primary outcomes included perceived stress (psychological) and salivary cortisol awakening response (CAR) (physiological). Randomized groups were not statistically different at baseline. Mixed models analysis of covariance (intent-to-treat) showed that intervention was associated with significantly lower caregiver stress 3 months post-transplant (Mean=20.0, CI95=17.9-22.0) compared to TAU (Mean=23.0, CI95=21.0-25.0) with an effect size (ES) of 0.39 (p=0.039). Secondary psychological outcomes, including depression and anxiety, were significantly reduced with ESs of 0.46 and 0.66 respectively. Caregiver CAR did not differ from non-caregiving controls at baseline and was unchanged by intervention. Despite significant caregiving burden, this psychosocial intervention significantly mitigated distress in Allo-HSCT caregivers.

PURPOSE A full-time 24/7 caregiver is required for 100 days or longer following an allogeneic blood or marrow transplant during which time caregivers have multiple demands. Although distress in caregivers is documented, generalization is limited by small sample sizes, restricted range of assessments, and lack of information as to which caregivers may be more vulnerable to distress. The purpose of this study was to describe the peri-transplant psychological status of a sample of caregivers of allogeneic transplant patients. METHODS We assessed caregiver mood, stress, burden, and sleep using valid self-report measures in 109 caregivers of allogeneic transplant patients prior to stem cell transplantation. Caregivers’ scores were compared to norms or established cut-off scores for behavioral measures. Additionally, demographic characteristics such as age and sex were tested as predictors of distress. RESULTS Caregivers showed significant levels of anxiety, stress, intrusion and avoidance behaviors, and poor sleep at the start of transplant compared to established norms. Younger caregivers were more distressed than older caregivers. There were no differences in levels of distress between male and female caregivers. CONCLUSION The peri-transplant period is a time of heightened anxiety and distress for caregivers of allogeneic transplant patients. This study indicates that caregivers would benefit from support programs in the peri-transplant period. Recommendations for types of support that may be helpful to caregivers are provided but additional research is needed to validate that these programs would help caregivers providing care to patients receiving an allogeneic transplant in the peri-transplant period.

PURPOSE: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT) is a demanding treatment requiring caregiver support. The pre-transplant period is particularly stressful. How patient and caregiver dyads respond to these stressors can impact post-transplant outcomes. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess pre-transplant patient and caregiver distress, patient quality of life (pQoL), and and simultaneously investigate relationship between caregiver distress, patient distress and patient QoL. METHODS: We measured caregiver anxiety, depressive symptoms, perceived stress, sleep quality, caregiver burden and pQoL in148 dyads compared to clinical thresholds or population norms. To reduce comparisons, we created a composite distress score from affective measures. Associations within dyads were examined via correlation and path analysis. RESULTS: Most dyads scored above norms for psychological measures. Patient distress was positively associated with caregiver distress. Higher caregiver distress significantly predicted poorer pQoL after accounting for the interdependence of patient and caregiver distress. Specifically, patients' physical functioning was the primary driver of this interrelationship. CONCLUSIONS: Allo-HSCT patients and their caregivers reported elevated distress pretransplant. Both patient and caregiver distress contributed to pQoL, with patients' physical functioning accounting significantly for caregiver well-being. Supporting the patient-caregiver dyad before transplantation is a priority for supportive services.