Factors affecting the caregiver burden following traumatic brain injury

Özet

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the factors that had an effect on the burden of thecaregivers of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients.Methods: Between December 2018 and June 2019, patients with moderate to severe TBI andtheir caregivers were included in the study. Caregivers were assessed with the Zarit BurdenInterview and short form-36 health survey scale, and patients were assessed with the DisabilityRating Scale and Functional Independence Measure.Results: The study included 58 patients [age, median (min-max): 45 (21.0-60.0), female 72.4%].A negative correlation was found between the caregiver’s age, unemployment status andcomorbidities with the caregiver burden (p=0.007, p=0.073, p=0.168 respectively). A positivecorrelation was found between the caregivers who were the members of the family and thecaregiver burden (p=0.001). In univariate and multivariate regression analysis, the caregiver’sage was found to be independent predictors of the increased burden of care (p=0.007,p=0.016), and being a member of the family was found to be independent predictors of thedecreased burden of care (p=0.001, p=0.048).Conclusions: This study demonstrates the effects of the caregiver’s age and relationship withthe patient on caregiver burden.