Risk Factors of Complicated Grief in caregivers of patients with terminal illness: a Systematic Review

This research aims to identify the factors that appear associated with complicated grief in caregivers of patients with terminal illness. A systematic review of the literature has been carried out following the PRISMA guidelines. The databases used were: PubMed, ProQuest Central and WOS-WOK. The search was set up through the intersection of the descriptors (abc): a) for the duel 'grief and 'bereavement' were used together with others referring to the concept of loss ('lost', 'dying', 'mourning', 'anticipatory', 'loss', 'death'); b) for the end of life or palliative care ('end-of-life', 'terminal', 'palliative'); and c) psychological aspects ('psychology', 'psychological'). 62 references were included in the qualitative synthesis. The risk factors identified coincide with those described in previous studies. At the same time, this review identifies new risk factors: coping strategies, physical disability, misdiagnosis, type of medication, and being a widower with a dependent child.