Abstract

LOPEZ GIL, Mª Jesús et al. The caregiver burden and its repercussions on quality of life and health. Rev Clin Med Fam [online]. 2009, vol.2, n.7, pp.332-339. ISSN 2386-8201.

Objective. To determine caregiver burden and its repercussions on quality of life, physical and mental health and social life and the use for healthcare resources (frequency). Design. Observational, analytical, case control study. Setting. Primary Health Care Centre in an urban setting. Participants. The case group was made up of 156 primary caregivers and the control group of 156 personas assigned to the Primary Health Care Centre who were not primary care givers. They were paired by age, gender and number of chronic diseases. Measurements. Clinical and socio-demographic characteristics, caregiver role characteristics (kinship, time performing role of caregiver, etc.), caregiver burden (Zarit scale), frequency, perceived health, subjective quality of life (Nottingham Health Profile), presence of anxiety and depression symptoms (GADS-18), family functioning (Family APGAR) and perception of family and social support (Duke-UNC questionnaire). Results. According to the Zarit scale, burden was present in 66.4% of caregivers. Compared to 31.4% of persons in the control group, 48.1% of caregivers considered their health was poor or very poor (OR = 2.02; 95% CI: 1.27 - 3.21). The mean frequency in the last year was 8.37 visits/year in the caregiver group and 7.12 visits/year in the control group (p< 0.01). A higher prevalence of anxiety and depression was observed in the caregiver group, and a greater frequency of possible family dysfunction and sensation of insufficient social support. Conclusions. The results indicate the need for multidisciplinary supportive and preventive interventions for caregivers. Such interventions have obtained positive results in several aspects both for the caregiver and the person cared for person. These interventions need to be adapted to the specific characteristics and needs of each caregiver.

Keywords : Caregivers; Quality of Life.

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