ABSTRACT
Introducción: se describen las características clínicas, funcionales y socioeconómicas de un grupo de pacientes que precisan atención para cuidados domiciliarios. Se evalúa la repercusión en el cuidador principal del hecho de cuidar. Material y método: estudio descriptivo transversal. Marco comunitario (Centro de Salud San Agustín de Burgos). Se recogen datos de la historia clínica del paciente y se aplica un cuestionario específico a un grupo de cuidadores. Análisis estadístico: SPSS versión 10.0. Resultados: Pacientes: 88 casos (63,6% mujeres), 93,2% mayores de 65 años. Más del 50% con dependencia grave o total. La mayoría vive en domicilio propio. El 21,6% de las viviendas no dispone de ascensor. Cuidadores: edad media ± desviación estándar de 62,0 ± 14,9 años; el 84% eran mujeres (hija en el 56% de los casos, cónyuge en el 36%). Dos terceras partes están casados. Principales quejas del cuidador: falta de tiempo libre (60%), restricción en su vida anterior (84%), cambio de proyectos personales (66%). Tienen lumbalgias (64%) y algias musculares (40%), ansiedad (36%), depresión (44%) y síndrome de estrés del cuidador (36%). Más estrés en enfermos terminales, enfermedad mental y déficit visuales y auditivos. Menor necesidad de consultas médicas a mayor tiempo de inclusión en el programa. Conclusiones: el paciente inmovilizado tipo en nuestro medio es una mujer anciana, viuda, que vive en su domicilio, cuidada por una hija/o, con escaso apoyo social, importante comorbilidad y polimedicada. La mayoría de los cuidadores son mujeres casadas de mediana edad, con gran prevalencia de ansiedad/depresión, y pueden estar infratratados (AU)
Introduction: the aim of this study was to describe the clinical, functional and socioeconomic characteristics in a group of patients requiring home care and to identify the effects of this activity on their main caregivers. Material and method: a descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed in the San Agustin Health Centre in Burgos (Spain). Data from patients medical records were collected and a specific questionnaire was administered to a group of caregivers. The statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS statistical package, version 10.0. Results: Patients: there were 88 patients (63.6% women), of which 93.2% were aged more than 65 years. More than 50% showed severe or complete dependence. Most of the patients lived in their own homes. A total of 21.6% homes had no lift. Caregivers: the mean ± SD age was 62.0 ± 14.9 years, and 84% were women. Fifty-six percent of caregivers were daughters and 36% were spouses. Two-thirds were married. Caregivers complained mainly of lack of free time (60%), restriction of their former lives (84%), and changes in personal plans (66%). Low back pain was present in 64% and muscular aches in 40%. Anxiety was present in 36% and depression in 44%. Caregiver stress syndrome was found in 36%. Stress was greater among the caregivers of persons with terminal disease, mental illness, and visual and auditory impairment. The longer the period of inclusion in the program, the lower the need for medical consultations. Conclusions: the profile of immobile patients in our environment corresponds to an elderly widow, living in her own home, cared for by a son or daughter, with little social support, substantial comorbidity, and receiving polymedication. Most of the caregivers are married, middle-aged women, with a high prevalence of anxiety/ depression, and who may be under-treated (AU)
