Assessing the Burden of Chronic Heart Failure on Caregivers of Patients in Colombia

• Published in: Value in health 2017-10, Vol.20 (9), p.A622
• Main Authors: Karpf, E, Jackson, J, Cotton, S, Proenca, C, Calado, F, Barbeau, M, MacPherson, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Caregiver burden; Caregivers; Caregiving; Demography; Diet; Drugs; Emotional support; Emotions; Heart diseases; Heart failure; Impact analysis; Lifestyles; Patients; Physicians; Prescription drugs; Questionnaires; Rehabilitation; Sleep disorders; Social activities; Suffering; Travel; Working hours
• ISSN: 1098-3015; 1524-4733
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2017.08.1358

OBJECTIVES: To understand the burden of chronic heart failure (HF) on informal caregivers in Colombia. METHODS: A Disease Specific Program was conducted to assess the impact of chronic HF in Colombia. Caregiver self-completion (CSC) questionnaires were completed by caregivers (n=58) of chronic HF patients. CSC questionnaires focused on the demographics and activities/responsibilities of caregivers, and the emotional and financial burden of caregiving. RESULTS: Based on CSC questionnaires, 80% of caregivers were females, and mean age was 55.1 years. Caregivers spent approximately 47.5 hours per week caring for the patient. Nearly 75% of patients lived with the caregiver, and the main caregiver was often the spouse (59%) or child (27%) of the patient. Caregiver Activities: The most frequently reported activities/tasks were reminding patients to take medication (67%), providing emotional support/encouragement, and driving the patient to work/hospital/appointments (61%> each). Caregivers most frequently asked doctors about the best care for patients (67%), diet/lifestyle (56%), and treatment (56%) for the patient. Emotional Burden: Due to caregiving responsibilities, caregivers reported a decrease in social activities (23%), and reported suffering from sleeping problems (22%), depression (16%), and stress (16%). Financial Burden: Only 6% of caregivers reported a reduced income from a change in job or reduction of working hours due to caregiver responsibilities. Only 9% of caregivers reported paying for the patients' chronic HF prescriptions, and 5% covered some of the cost of rehabilitation. Nearly 65% of caregivers were not financially responsible for any hospitalizations of the chronic HF patient. Travel: On average, caregivers accompanied the patient five times per year to chronic HF appointments, spending a mean of 67.5 minutes travelling to and from the hospital. Of those who reported travel costs (n=39), an average of COL$ 21 was incurred. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that caring for chronic HF patients inflicts a significant burden on informal caregivers in Colombia.