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Journals / Geriatrik Bilimler Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 8 Sayı: 2

Pain Profiles, Pain Catastrophizing, and Quality of Life Among Caregivers of Dementia Patients: A Multicenter Comparative Study

Demans Hastalarına Bakım Verenlerde Ağrı Profilleri, Ağrı Katastrofizasyonu ve Yaşam Kalitesi: Çok Merkezli Karşılaştırmalı Bir Çalışma

Gizem Gürsoy(SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, İSTANBUL ÜMRANİYE SAĞLIK UYGULAMA VE ARAŞTIRMA MERKEZİ)0000-0003-4448-5962
Tuba Tanyel Saraçoğlu(SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, İSTANBUL BAŞAKŞEHİR ÇAM VE SAKURA ŞEHİR SAĞLIK UYGULAMA VE ARAŞTIRMA MERKEZİ)0000-0002-0502-3389
Pages
91–99
Publication Date
2025-08-30
DOI
—
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

A multidisciplinary approach addressing both physical and psychological needs is essential to improving the quality of life for both groups.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Aim: This study aimed to investigate the pain profile, quality of life, and pain catastrophizing levels of caregivers of patients with dementia and compare them with non-caregivers with chronic pain.
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Key Findings & Data:Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study included 170 participants: 81 patients with chronic pain who caregiving of dementia patients (group CG) and 89 non-caregivers with chronic pain (group NCG).
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Conclusion & Impact:A multidisciplinary approach addressing both physical and psychological needs is essential to improving the quality of life for both groups.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Kronik Ağrı · Demans · Bakımveren

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the pain profile, quality of life, and pain catastrophizing levels of caregivers of patients with dementia and compare them with non-caregivers with chronic pain. Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study included 170 participants: 81 patients with chronic pain who caregiving of dementia patients (group CG) and 89 non-caregivers with chronic pain (group NCG). Participants completed demographic questionnaires, the Short Form-12 (SF-12) quality of life scale, and the pain catastrophizing scale (PCS). Statistical analyses were performed using independent samples t-tests and chi-square tests. Results: Among caregivers, 71% reported chronic pain, primarily in the neck (30.9%), lower back (25.9%), and shoulders (7.4%). Although SF-12 scores were below the normative threshold (<50) in both groups, group NCG had significantly lower physical and mental health scores compared to group CG (p=0.013, p=0.015). Additionally, PCS scores were significantly higher in group NCG (p<0.001). While 49.4% of caregivers attributed their pain to caregiving, also they reported that pain negatively impacted their caregiving abilities. Conclusion: Chronic pain imposes a burden on both caregivers and non-caregivers. A multidisciplinary approach addressing both physical and psychological needs is essential to improving the quality of life for both groups.

Özet

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı demanslı hastalara bakım verenlerin ağrı profili, yaşam kalitesi ve ağrı katastrofizasyonu düzeylerini araştırmak ve bakım vermeyen ancak kronik ağrısı olan hastalarla karşılaştırmaktır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu prospektif kohort çalışmasına 170 katılımcı dahil edilmiştir: demans hastalarına bakım veren 81 kronik ağrılı hasta (Grup CG) ve 89 bakım vermeyen ancak kronik ağrısı olan hasta (Grup NCG) olmak üzere katılımcılar iki gruba ayrılmıştır.Katılımcılar demografik soruları, Kısa Form-12 (KF-12) yaşam kalitesi ölçeğini ve ağrı katastrofizasyon ölçeğini (AKÖ) doldurmuştur. İstatistiksel analizler bağımsız örneklem t-testleri ve ki-kare testleri kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bulgular: Bakım verenlerin %71’i başta boyun (%30,9), bel (%25,9) ve omuzlarda (%7,4) olmak üzere kronik ağrı bildirmiştir. KF- 12 skorları her iki grupta da norm değerin (<50) altında olmasına rağmen, Grup NCG, Grup CG’ye kıyasla anlamlı derecede daha düşük fiziksel ve ruhsal sağlık skorlarına sahipti (p=0,013, p=0,015). Ayrıca, AKÖ skorları Grup NCG’de anlamlı derecede yüksekti (p<0,001). Bakım verenlerin %49,4’ü ağrılarını bakım vermeye bağlarken, aynı zamanda ağrının bakım verme becerilerini olumsuz etkilediğini bildirmiştir. Sonuç: Kronik ağrı hem bakım verenlere hem de bakım vermeyenlere yük getirmektedir. Hem fiziksel hem de psikolojik ihtiyaçları ele alan multidisipliner bir yaklaşım, her iki grubun da yaşam kalitesini artırmak için gereklidir.

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Cite This Article

Gürsoy, G., Saraçoğlu, T. T. (2025). Pain Profiles, Pain Catastrophizing, and Quality of Life Among Caregivers of Dementia Patients: A Multicenter Comparative Study. Geriatrik Bilimler Dergisi, Cilt: 8 Sayı: 2, 91–99. https://ajindex.com/articles/1488315

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