Caregiver burden, hopelessness, and anxiety: Association between sociodemographic and clinical profiles of patients with stroke

• Published in: Journal of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases 2024-11, Vol.33 (11), p.107905, Article 107905
• Main Authors: Murayama, Luis Henrique Vallesquino, Filho, Pedro Tadao Hamamoto, Winckler, Fernanda Cristina, Meirelles, Havy Alexssander Abrami, Sampaio, Natalie Carlos Ferreira Mello, Moreira, Bruno Zanluqui, Sampaio, Raul Pansardis, Cotrim, Renan Macionil, Bazan, Silméia Garcia Zanati, Chiloff, Cristiane Lara Mendes, Luvizutto, Gustavo José, Bazan, Rodrigo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anxiety; Burden; Caregiver; Hopelessness; Stroke
• ISSN: 1052-3057; 1532-8511; 1532-8511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2024.107905

This study aimed to evaluate the association between the sociodemographic characteristics of caregivers and patients with stroke, clinical data on stroke, and disability with caregiver burden, hopelessness, and anxiety. This cross-sectional study included patients with stroke of either sex, aged >18 years. Data were collected between January 2020 and July 2021. Patient demographic included age, sex, stroke type, severity, etiology, topography, treatment, and stroke recurrence. Stroke disability was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale and Barthel Index at 90 days post-discharge. Additionally, caregiver burden, hopelessness, and anxiety were evaluated during patient consultations using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). We included 104 patients with stroke and their caregivers. Overall caregiver burden was moderate (ZBI: 24 [25]), with mild hopelessness (BHS: 4 [4]) and minimal to mild anxiety (BAI: 8 [13]). The linear regression model presented in Table 3 showed that female caregivers scored up to 11 points higher on the Zarit Burden Interview (p = 0.011). Additionally, increased patient age was associated with a higher caregiver burden (p = 0.002) on the Zarit Burden Interview. Posterior circulation stroke and total anterior circulation stroke were also associated with higher Zarit Burden Interview scores compared to lacunar stroke (p = 0.017). Age was not associated with caregiver burden in the entire sample. However, an association between age and caregiver burden was found only in the female group. Furthermore, women aged 65 years and older experienced a more severe burden than women aged 18 to 64 years (p