Quality of life for primary caregivers of muscular dystrophy patients in South Korea.
BACKGROUND
Although some studies measured the burden of caregivers and the factors that influenced their feelings of burden, few studies have measured the quality of life (QOL) for primary caregivers of patients with muscular dystrophy (MD). We assessed the QOL for primary caregivers of patients with MD in South Korea and identified factors associated with caregivers' QOL.


METHODS
Ninety dyads of patients with MD and their primary caregivers were enrolled in this study. The QOL of caregivers of patients with MD was assessed subjectively using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment, Life Brief Form. Caregivers' emotional status was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and family function level was evaluated using the Family APGAR scale. Patients reported their emotional status using the BDI or the Children's Depression Inventory. The functional levels of patients were evaluated by the modified Barthel Index.


RESULTS
Caregivers' QOL was statistically associated with family income, family function, emotional status of patients, level of education, and emotional status of caregivers (P < 0.05). Caregivers who were employed had a significantly higher QOL than those who were not (P < 0.05). In multiple regression analyses, emotional and employment status of caregivers was strongly associated with caregivers' QOL.


CONCLUSIONS
Rehabilitation teams should consider not only the physical factors of patients but also the psychological and demographic factors of primary caregivers of patients with MD.
Im
Sang Hee
SH
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju &Yonsei University Graduate School, Seoul, Korea.
Lee
Sang Chul
SC
Moon
Jae Ho
JH
Park
Eun Sook
ES
Park
Yoon Ghil
YG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies; D011788:Quality of Life; D056910:Republic of Korea; D055815:Young Adult