Health-related quality of life and strain in caregivers of Australians with Parkinson's disease: an observational study.
BACKGROUND
The relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in people with Parkinson's disease and their caregivers is little understood and any effects on caregiver strain remain unclear. This paper examines these relationships in an Australian sample.


METHODS
Using the generic EuroQol (EQ-5D) and disease-specific Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 Item (PDQ-39), HRQoL was evaluated in a sample of 97 people with PD and their caregivers. Caregiver strain was assessed using the Modified Caregiver Strain Index. Associations were evaluated between: (i) caregiver and care-recipient HRQoL; (ii) caregiver HRQoL and caregiver strain, and; (iii) between caregiver strain and care-recipient HRQoL.


RESULTS
No statistically significant relationships were found between caregiver and care-recipient HRQoL, or between caregiver HRQoL and caregiver strain. Although this Australian sample of caregivers experienced relatively good HRQoL and moderately low strain, a significant correlation was found between HRQoL of people with PD and caregiver strain (rho 0.43, p < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Poor HRQoL in people with PD is associated with higher strain in caregivers. Therapy interventions may target problems reported as most troublesome by people with PD, with potential to reduce strain on the caregiver.
Physiotherapy, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia 3010.
David H
DH
Kelly
Jennifer L
JL
McGinley
Frances E
FE
Huxham
Hylton B
HB
Menz
Jennifer J
JJ
Watts
Robert
R
Iansek
Anna T
AT
Murphy
Mary
M
Danoudis
Brooke
B
Adair
Meg E
ME
Morris
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology