Abstract

CONTRERAS GALLEGO, Azahara; LOPEZ SOTO, Pablo  and  CRESPO MONTERO, Rodolfo. Analysis of the relationship between the dependence level of the patient and primary caregiver burden on hemodialysis. Enferm Nefrol [online]. 2014, vol.17, n.2, pp.98-103. ISSN 2255-3517.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S2254-28842014000200003.

Introduction: Hemodialysis patient has high levels of dependence caused by age and comorbidity added. That is why caring for this patient is increasingly complex. Typically, direct family member or primary caregivermakes much of this care. Sometimes, some of them suffer "caregiver burden". Aim: To analyze the relationship between thedependence level on hemodialysis patient and caregiver burden. Patients and Methods: An observational study was conducted. 36 hemodialysis patients were studied in the Department of Nephrology of UH Reina Sofia, Cordoba. We included all patients with any degree of dependence (Barthel < 100) and their caregivers. Delta test was used to assess the degree of functional dependence of the patient and Zarit test to measure caregiver burden. Results: Using the Delta test, the average dependence was 7.79 ± 11.05 (assisted moderate), physical dependence scored an average of 5.86 ± 3.03 (moderate deficit) and psychic dependence 3.116 ± 2.95 (no deficit). We found by frequency distribution: 53% of patients with moderate dependence, 36% with severe dependence and 11% with total dependence. Caregiver burden was not found (mean of 45.92 ± 16), but if there is burden when distributed by the categories of Zarit. An inverse correlation between the Barthel Index and the Zarit was found. Conclusions: The dependency level found is similar to those found in most of the studied series. Evidence shows that caregiver burden is related to the severity of patient dependence.

Keywords : Hemodialysis; Dependence; Barthel Index; Zarit Test; Delta Test.

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