Caregiver Burden in Epilepsy: Determinants and Impact

Abstract

Aim. Caregiver burden (CB) in epilepsy constitutes an understudied area. Here we attempt to identify the magnitude of this burden, the factors associated with it, and its impact to caregiver quality of life (QOL). Methods. 48 persons with epilepsy (PWE) underwent video-EEG monitoring and their caregivers completed questionnaires providing demographic, disease-related, psychiatric, cognitive, sleep, QOL, and burden information. Results. On regression analysis, higher number of antiepileptic drugs, poorer patient neuropsychological performance, lower patient QOL score, and lower caregiver education level were associated with higher CB. Time allocated to patient care approximated but did not attain statistical significance. A moderate inverse correlation between CB and caregiver QOL physical component summary score and a stronger inverse correlation between CB and caregiver QOL mental component summary score were seen. Conclusion. In a selected cohort of PWE undergoing video-EEG monitoring, we identified modest degree of CB, comparable to that reported in the literature for other chronic neurological conditions. It is associated with specific patient and caregiver characteristics and has a negative effect on caregiver QOL.

The Role of Caregiver Burden in Quality of Life and Perception of Patients with Chronic Kidney Failure on Hemodialysis

“…Additionally, the results of regression analysis demonstrated that caregiver burden was able to predict 0.05 of physical quality of life and mental quality of life (dimensions of quality of life) and 0.07 of physical suffering (dimension of perception of suffering), 0.05 of mental suffering (dimension of perception of suffering), and 0.05 of existential suffering (another dimension of perception of suffering). These results are in line with the results obtained from some previously conducted studies determining that caregiver burden was significantly and positively related to physical and mental dimensions of quality of life and it was significantly and inversely correlated with physical, mental, and existential dimensions of perception of suffering (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25).…”

“…Grant et al found that caregiver burden was correlated with patients' quality of life, such that, over time, a decrease in the caregivers' quality of life resulted in a decrease in the patients' quality of life (16). The results of a study conducted by Karakis et al revealed that low quality of life in patients with epilepsy was related to low levels of caregivers' quality of life (17). In another study, Settineri et al indicated that caregivers, due to taking care of patients with chronic diseases, experienced psychological, physical, and social pressures and as a results, they experienced burnout, anxiety, and depression (18).…”

Quality of Life and Caregivers' Burden of Parkinson's Disease

“…“Stigma” and “emotional well-being” are the significant contributors that impact the caregivers' burden. Stigma is a unique contributor that impacts caregivers' burden [29,30]. …”

Altered behavior and neural activity in conspecific cagemates co-housed with mouse models of brain disorders

“…The importance of psychosocial and environmental problems has been emphasized previously, and is highlighted in an axis of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-V. Many clinical reports have focused on the psychiatric symptoms produced by chronic social stress from unstable psychosocial relationships, specifically investigating the relationships between patients and their family members or caregivers [7][8][9][10]. Families and caregivers of patients with brain disorders or mental illnesses such as depressive/bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, and epilepsy display high levels of depression and anxiety, and are at increased risk of developing psychological distress or psychiatric symptoms [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. However, the neural substrates and mechanisms underlying this effect or distress have not been well-defined.…”