Calidad de vida y sobrecarga de los cuidadores de pacientes con daño cerebral adquirido / Quality of life and burden of carers of patients with acquired brain injury

Introducción. El impacto en salud del daño cerebral adquirido (DCA) se manifiesta no solo en los pacientes sino también en la pérdida de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) de sus cuidadores. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron medir tanto la pérdida de CVRS como la sobrecarga de los cuidadores de pacientes con DCA. Material y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio retrospectivo con 76 cuidadores de pacientes con DCA. La encuesta recogió información acerca de las características sociodemográficas, la carga de los cuidados (escala de Zarit) y la CVRS (cuestionario EuroQol) de los cuidadores. Para analizar el efecto de las diferentes variables se construyeron modelos de regresión lineal múltiple y regresión logística. Resultados. Los cuidadores fueron predominantemente mujeres de más de 50 años, jubiladas o dedicadas a las tareas domésticas y que cuidaban a su marido o a uno de sus padres. Un tercio mostró un riesgo alto de claudicación. La media de la CVRS obtenida con EuroQol pasó de una cifra similar a la de la población general (0,90) en el grupo sin sobrecarga a 0,67 en el grupo con riesgo de claudicación. Los modelos de regresión explicaron mejor la sobrecarga que la pérdida de calidad de vida. Conclusiones. Los cuidadores de pacientes con daño cerebral sufren una importante pérdida de CVRS con relación a la población general. El deterioro radica en las dimensiones mentales y depende del nivel de la sobrecarga(AU)

Introduction. The health impact of acquired brain injury (ABI) is not only apparent in the patient, but also in the loss of health related quality of life (HRQol) of their carers. The objectives of this study were to measure the loss of HRQol as well as the burden of the carers of patients with ABI. Material and methods. A retrospective study was conducted with 76 carers of patients with ABI. A questionnaire was used to collect information on the sociodemographic aspects, carer burden (Zarit Scale) and the HRQol (EuroQol Questionnaire) of the carers. A multiple linear regression model was constructed to analyse the effect of the different variables. Results. The carers were predominantly women over 50years, retired or dedicated to domestic tasks and who cared for their husband or one of their parents. One third showed a high risk of claudication. The mean HRQol obtained with the EuroQol went from a similar score to that of the general population (0.9) in the group without burden, to 0.67 in the group with risk of claudication. The regression models explained the burden better than the loss in quality of life. Conclusions. Carers of patients with brain injury suffer a significant loss in HRQol compared to the general population. The deterioration arises from the mental dimensions and depends on the level of burden(AU)

[Quality of life and burden of carers of patients with acquired brain injury]. / Calidad de vida y sobrecarga de los cuidadores de pacientes con daño cerebral adquirido.

INTRODUCTION: The health impact of acquired brain injury (ABI) is not only apparent in the patient, but also in the loss of health related quality of life (HRQol) of their carers. The objectives of this study were to measure the loss of HRQol as well as the burden of the carers of patients with ABI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted with 76 carers of patients with ABI. A questionnaire was used to collect information on the sociodemographic aspects, carer burden (Zarit Scale) and the HRQol (EuroQol Questionnaire) of the carers. A multiple linear regression model was constructed to analyse the effect of the different variables. RESULTS: The carers were predominantly women over 50 years, retired or dedicated to domestic tasks and who cared for their husband or one of their parents. One third showed a high risk of claudication. The mean HRQol obtained with the EuroQol went from a similar score to that of the general population (0.9) in the group without burden, to 0.67 in the group with risk of claudication. The regression models explained the burden better than the loss in quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Carers of patients with brain injury suffer a significant loss in HRQol compared to the general population. The deterioration arises from the mental dimensions and depends on the level of burden.