Stress levels amongst caregivers of patients with osteoporotic hip fractures - a prospective cohort study

ABSTRACT

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>We evaluated if there was significant stress in caregivers of elderly patients with osteoporotic hip fractures and determine any contributory factors.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>A prospective cohort study was performed from June 2005 to June 2006 in a single tertiary hospital. Patients admitted during this period and their primary caregivers were interviewed on admission and at 6 months. Information on patient's demographics, comorbidities, functional and mental status, placement post-discharge and financial strain were noted. Caregiver stress was measured using the caregiver strain index (CSI). Relationships between key variables were analysed to derive possible correlations.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The study comprised caregivers of 76 patients with a mean age of 77 years (range, 50 to 95; SD, 11). Within 1 week of admission, 45 of the 76 caregivers (59.2%) were significantly stressed based on the CSI while at 6 months, 30 of the caregivers (50%) were significantly stressed. The mean CSI within 1 week of admission and at 6 months post-admission was 7.18 and 6.25 respectively (P = 0.042). The most significant contributory factor to stress was financial strain (P = 0.01) attributable to medical bills, rehabilitation costs and transport expenses.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is a significant amount of stress that is experienced by caregivers of elderly patients with hip fractures which commences from admission of the patient and it remains high at 6-months post-fracture. Financial strain has been found to be the only significant cause on both univariate and multivariate analysis. Adequate resources should be available to caregivers of patients with osteoporotic hip fractures.</p>