Health-Related Quality of Life and Caregiver Burden among Peritoneal Dialysis Patients and Their Family Caregivers in Japan

Abstract

Objective Recent studies have found that patients with chronic renal failure suffer from depression and other symptoms of decreased mental health. However, little is know about caregiver burden and mental health among patients’ families. In the present study, we examined the relationship in Japan between peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and caregivers with regard to health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and caregiver burden. Method In March of 2002, we recruited 60 subjects—26 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), and 34 caregivers—from a PD patient support group in southern Japan. We used the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF) and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) to measure HRQOL. We used the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) to measure caregiver burden. Data was also collected on each patient's duration of illness, treatment modality, age, sex, and medical history. All data were collected by mail surveys. Results Mean age of the PD patients was 48.2; mean age of the caregivers was 46.6. Mean caregiver burden on the ZBI was 14.1, which is considerably lower than that reported among caregivers for patients with dementia or stroke. Caregivers and patients both rated their general health and vitality among the lowest of the eight dimensions on the KDQOL-SF. In addition, patients scored lower than a normative population in all dimensions and significantly lower than caregivers in the dimensions of role physical functioning, role emotional functioning, and social functioning. Compared to national normative data for their age group, caregivers scored substantially lower in general health, vitality, and mental health. Conclusions Patients on CAPD are at risk for social role dysfunction, and their caregivers are at risk for decreased mental health. Further research is needed to identify interventions that can improve the HRQOL of CAPD patients and their family caregivers.

An analysis of caregiver burden of patients with hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis

“…16 Shimoyama et al's study indicated low levels of caregiver burden with PD patients. 8 The caregivers of PD patients had lower levels of burden than the caregivers of HD patients, and this was highly significant (P < 0.005). Pürlüsoy et al conducted a study to analyze the burden of caregivers of HD and PD patients and showed that the caregivers of HD patients had medium and higher levels of caregiver burden than the 17 Arikan and Can conducted a study to identify the problems of the caregivers of HD patients and their levels of burnout.…”

“…7 The Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale is used in many studies that determine the burden of care of patients undergoing dialysis. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12]…”

“…They indicate the quality of life of primary caregivers was low, that caregivers were mostly elderly people, and that as the age increases caregivers' quality of life. 8 Belasco and Sesso conducted a study of the quality of life and burden of the caregivers of HD patients. They noted the burden of family members who gave care was high, and that their quality of life was low.…”

Effects on caregiver burden of education related to home care in patients undergoing hemodialysis

“…20 ZCBS is used in many studies that determine the burden of care of patients undergoing dialysis. [21][22][23]…”

“…Previously conducted similar studies were used in the planning of how to present the information in the educational program. 1,2,[20][21][22][23] After the preparation of brochures, educational programs were started. Brochure preparation process lasted for a month.…”