Caregiver burden among caregivers of Koreans with dementia.
BACKGROUND
Most studies on caregiver burden have been conducted in Western countries, while few studies on the correlates of caregiver burden have been performed in Korea.


OBJECTIVE
To suggest better policies for the care of dementia patients by using a nationwide database to identify factors that affect caregiver burden in Korea.


METHODS
The database of the Korean National Health Insurance (KNHI) and National Medical Aid (NMA) programs, which covers all Koreans, was used. A sample of 609 dementia patients and their caregivers was selected from a total of 85,281 dementia patients in 2004 and interviewed to evaluate the total cost of care and caregiver burden. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was then performed to identify significant independent predictors of caregiver burden.


RESULTS
Among caregiver-related factors, caregiver burden was higher in those who were female, had a history of home care during the previous year, and had less education. Among patient-related factors, poor ADL/IADL function was significant. The most interesting result was that subjective sense of socioeconomic status (good/fair/poor) was a stronger predictor of caregiver outcome than actual economic costs.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that interventions to assist patients with dementia should focus on female caregivers, especially those considered likely to be suffering from an economic burden. Interventions should also aim to improve the ADL and IADL capacities of patients.
Kim
Moon-Doo
MD
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Cheju National University, Cheju, Korea.
Hong
Seong-Chul
SC
Lee
Chang-In
CI
Kim
Su-Young
SY
Kang
Im-Ok
IO
Lee
Sang-Yi
SY
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003704:Dementia / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012923:Social Class