Subjective burden and quality of life in family caregivers of patients with end stage renal disease.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of life (QoL) and level of subjective burden reported by family caregivers of persons with ESRD and to examine the relationship between these variables. The influence of patient (gender), illness (dialysis and diabetes status), and caregiver (race, gender, employment status, relationship to patient, and self-rated health) factors on burden and QoL was also examined.


METHODS
An exploratory descriptive design was used.


METHODS
The convenience sample consisted of 96 caregivers of 96 transplant candidates diagnosed with end-stage renal disease. Participants were recruited from a University transplant service located in the Mid-South.


METHODS
Caregivers of patients attending pretransplant clinic evaluations were invited to participate in the study. Caregivers completed a demographic data form, the Caregiver Burden Interview, and General QoL measure. Patient demographic data and dialysis and diabetes status were retrieved from the patient health history database of an ongoing study conducted by our transplant research team. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlation analysis, and the appropriate parametric and nonparametric tests of group differences.


RESULTS
Caregivers, most of whom were women, reported good QoL and little to no burden. Caregiver QoL was significantly related to caregiver burden and caregiver self-rated health. Neither caregiver race, gender, relationship to the patient, nor patient gender significantly contributed to caregiver burden or caregiver QoL. Caregiver burden did not differ by dialysis type (CAPD, incenter hemodialysis, etc.) or employment category (full-time, part-time, etc.), however QoL differed by employment status.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings document the linkages among burden, QoL, and self-rated health as well as illness factors, such as diabetes status. Knowledge about these relationships may facilitate the development of interventions that enhance patient and family outcomes.
Wicks
M N
MN
Department of Acute Care Nursing, University of Tennessee, Memphis, USA. mwicks@utmem1.utmem.edu
Milstead
E J
EJ
Hathaway
D K
DK
Cetingok
M
M
D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires