RESUMO
Objective: This study investigated the consistency and determined the optimal threshold values of three scales in the diagnosis of insomnia of ischemic stroke (IS) patients. Methods: Participants in this study consisted of 569 acute IS patients. All 569 patients completed the assessment of the three insomnia scales. Insomnia of IS patients were assessed by Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Athens insomnia scale (AIS). Also, basic patient information, neurological function, and activities of daily living were assessed. General information was compared between the insomnia group and the no-insomnia group. Cronbach's α coefficients, Cohen's Kappa consistency, Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and DeLong's test analysis were used to analyze the reliability and diagnostic validity of PSQI, ISI, and AIS. Results: The PSQI and ISI showed high reliability with Cronbach's α of 0.875 and 0.858, respectively, while the AIS had an α coefficient of 0.734, demonstrating acceptable reliability. The PSQI, ISI, and AIS showed outstanding diagnostic ability with an AUC of 0.960 (95% CI: 0.946, 0.974), 0.911 (95% CI: 0.882, 0.941), and 0.876 (95% CI:0.837, 0.916). The best diagnostic cutoffs for PSQI, ISI, and AIS are ≥9, ≥15, and ≥8. Conclusion: Each of the three questionnaires has advantages and disadvantages when assessing insomnia. In the evaluation of insomnia in IS patients, the best questionnaire selection should be made according to the purpose of clinical evaluation and considering the sensitivity and specificity.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between caregiver competence and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among family caregivers of disabled elderly adults, and to evaluate the role of caregiver burden as a potential mediator of that relationship. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Two general hospitals in Shanghai, China. PARTICIPANTS: Study participants were 135 family caregivers of disabled elderly adults listed on a roster for outpatient and emergency services utilisation from January to March 2022. DATA ANALYSIS AND OUTCOME MEASURES: We used stratified linear regression and structural equation model analysis. HRQoL was the main outcome, measured using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short form Health Survey. Caregiver competence was assessed using the Family Caregiver Task Inventory, and caregiver burden was assessed with the Zarit Burden Interview. RESULTS: Caregivers of moderately and severely disabled elderly adults showed poorer scores in Physical Component Summary (F=20.463, p<0.05) and Mental Component Summary (F=17.062, p<0.05) compared with caregivers of older adults with mild disabilities. At the same time, those caregivers showed higher scores on the caregiving burden (F=19.533, p<0.05) and caregiving difficulties (F=16.079, p<0.05). A structural equation model was performed and successfully adjusted (χ2/df=1.175, p=0.261, NFI=0.970, RFI=0.949, IFI=0.995, CFI=0.995, GFI=0.963, TLI=0.992, AGFI=0.920, RMSEA=0.036). The total effect of Family Caregiver Task Inventory scores on HRQoL scores was -0.980, with a direct effect of -0.645. The mediating effect on HRQoL scores through the intermediate variable of caregiver burden scores was -0.335. CONCLUSIONS: Family caregivers' HRQoL is closely related to caregiver difficulties and burdens. Early identification and targeted measures are needed to reduce the burden and problems in caregiving.
