Subjective Burden on Family Carers of Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Background: Hemodialysis (HD) is an important objective burden (task) on patient with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and the caregiver has a subjective burden which contributes to lifestyle changes, which result in depression, anxiety declining physical health, social isolation and financial strain. Aim: To evaluate the subjective burden on family caregiver who cares patient on maintenance hemodialysis therapy. Methods: Fifty main family caregivers for each patient on HD and the instrument were used by Caregiver Burden Interview (CBI) completed by caregiver as a major of subjective response to care giving. Results: The present study findings demonstrated that main age of caregiver was 40 (11.0) years, two thirds of females, and they were mostly married (78.0%) with children. The total family caregiver burden reported was 43.3 (21.7), role strain 50.0 (25.4) and the personal strain 39.5 (19.7). The total caregivers' burden significantly positively correlated with the patients' age (r = 0.461) and negatively correlated with patients' level of education (r = −0.290). Moreover the role strain, personal strain and total caregiver burden scores were statistically and significantly negatively correlated with their age (r = −0.444) and level of education (r = −0.416) and the total burden scores were ranked as moderately to severely burdened all family caregivers. Conclusion: Caregivers' appraisal, coping strategies, interpersonal relationship issues, and social support would need to be considered for caregivers of patients maintained on HD.

Burden and Depression among Caregivers of Hemodialysis Patients

“…Caregivers with higher education (>10 years of formal edu- Pearson Correlation *p significant at ≤ 0.05 level of significance cation) were found to have significantly less burden. This finding is in accordance to a study done in Saudi Arabia which showed statistically significant negative correlation between caregiver burden and caregiver education [8]. It is a general consideration that increased education and awareness about a disease condition may make it more tolerable for patients and their families [4].…”

“…This may be because it is difficult for the older caregivers to travel and manage treatment for their patients as compared to the younger caregivers. However, this finding is contradicted in literature as the caregiver burden was found to be significantly higher in younger than in older caregivers [8,10]. In more developed countries like Turkey and Saudi Arabia where these researches are carried out, the facilities of transportation and health care may have made it easier for the older caregivers in providing health care to their patients.…”

“…The categorization of burden revealed 4% with little or no burden, 30% with mild to moderate burden, 49% with moderate to severe burden and 17% with severe burden. Moderate to severe burden was also reported by another study done in Saudi Arabia [8]. A contradicting result was found by Rioux et al, which showed low burden perceived by the caregivers.…”

“…However, Belasco AG and Sesso R found an almost equal distribution of caregivers who were employed (34%), unemployed (33%) and homemakers (33%) [1]. On the other hand, Bayoumi found 60% of the caregivers to be unemployed or housewives and 40% to be employed [8]. Conversely, Mollaoglu et al found 80.3% of the caregivers to be housewives and that profession had no impact on caregiver burden [10].…”

Caregivers of Patients on Haemodialysis

“…Dialysis population is becoming older and older [4] and has an increased risk of physical, cognitive, and emotional deterioration [5], due to diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular risk factors, pulmonary and skeletal problems [4], and multiple metabolic disturbances [5], with their mobility and ability to self-care being negatively afected. Thus, elderly dialysis patients need care not only from health professionals but also from caregivers, including spouses, parents, brothers and sisters, friends, as well as emotionally involved volunteers [4].…”