Caregiver Burden, Anxiety, Depression, and Sleep Quality Differences in Caregivers of Hemodialysis Patients Compared With Renal Transplant Patients

Virtual reality-guided mindfulness intervention to enhance psychosocial well-being in caregivers of end-stage kidney disease patients: protocol for a mixed-methods pilot randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Caregivers of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) face significant challenges that contribute to caregiver burden, negatively impacting their psychosocial well-being. Virtual-reality (VR)-guided mindfulness interventions have shown promise in reducing stress, anxiety and depression in various populations.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This pilot study aims to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of a VR-guided mindfulness intervention for ESKD caregivers. A single-centre, single-blind, parallel-group pilot randomised controlled trial will be conducted. Thirty ESKD caregivers will be randomly allocated to either the VR-guided mindfulness intervention group or the sham VR control group. The intervention group will receive a 6 week home-based VR-guided mindfulness programme, while the control group will view relaxing nature videos without mindfulness content. Participants will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention (6 weeks) and follow-up (12 weeks) using validated questionnaires for caregiver burden (Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI)), stress, anxiety, depression (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21)), quality of life (36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)) and mindfulness (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ)). Feasibility outcomes include accrual rates, retention, adherence, questionnaire completion and side effect rates. Semi-structured interviews will explore participants' experiences with the intervention.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study has been approved by the NHG Domain Specific Review Board (Reference: 2024-3940-APP1). The results of this pilot study will be reported in peer-reviewed open-access journals and shared with participants and stakeholders.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT06479200.

Peer support groups and care burden in hemodialysis caregivers: a RCT in an Iranian healthcare setting

BACKGROUND

Chronic renal failure poses a significant global health challenge, exerting a substantial burden on both patients and their caregivers. Hemodialysis, a common treatment for end-stage renal disease, imposes extensive physical, emotional, and financial pressures on caregivers, often leading to a high care burden. This study uniquely examines the impact of peer support groups on reducing the care burden among caregivers of patients receiving hemodialysis in an Iranian healthcare setting, an aspect that has not been extensively explored before.

METHODS

A parallel-controlled clinical trial was conducted involving 60 caregivers, divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group participated in an 8-session peer support program tailored to their identified needs, including coping with stress, social isolation, and financial challenges. The Zarit Care Burden Interview Scale was used to measure care burden before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

The study revealed statistically significant reductions in care burden, particularly in physical, social, and emotional dimensions, among caregivers in the intervention group compared to the control group. The total care burden score showed a marked decrease, indicating the effectiveness of the peer support intervention. While economic challenges remained a concern, the intervention had a limited impact in this domain.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that peer support groups significantly alleviate the care burden experienced by caregivers of patients receiving hemodialysis, improving their well-being across several dimensions. The findings highlight the importance of integrating peer support strategies into healthcare programs for chronic disease management and underscore the need for supplementary economic support measures to comprehensively address caregivers' needs. Future research should explore the scalability and long-term sustainability of such interventions and address the unique economic challenges faced by these caregivers.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) under the registration number IRCT20220724055540N1 on 11/08/2022.

Burden levels and predictive factors among caregivers of hemodialysis patients: a cross-sectional study in Oman

BACKGROUND

Caring for individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a highly demanding task that can adversely affect the physical and psychological well-being of caregivers.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the burden experienced by caregivers of patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) in Oman and explore the factors associated with this burden, including demographic and medical characteristics.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional was employed. Caregiver burden was assessed, and demographic and medical variables were examined among caregivers of HD patients. A total of 326 unpaid family caregivers completed the Zarit Burden Interview scale, demographics and some medical variables. Linear multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify factors linked to caregiver burden.

RESULTS

Of the caregivers, 62.9% reported a minimal burden, 21.8% experienced mild-to-moderate burden, 8.6% faced moderate-to-severe burden, and 6.7% encountered a severe burden. The final multiple regression model demonstrated statistical significance compared to the constant (F = 8.68, p < 0.001), with eight predictors explaining 18% of the variance, and caregivers' satisfaction with health emerged as the only significant predictor.

CONCLUSION

A substantial portion of caregivers reported minimal burden. These findings suggest the need for further in-depth investigations into factors contributing to this favourable outcome. Furthermore, caregivers' satisfaction with health was the only significant predictor of their burden. Healthcare providers need to give special attention to this point and conduct periodic assessments of the primary caregivers' health. Implementing improvements in the healthcare system based on these findings could enhance the overall caregiving experience for HD patients and their caregivers.

Investigation of the effect of Jacobson's relaxation technique on the fatigue of family caregivers of hemodialysis patients: a single-blinded randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Caring for hemodialysis patients could be a heavy burden on family caregivers, causing them to become fatigued and decrease their quality of life. This study aimed to investigate whether Jacobson's relaxation can help alleviate the fatigue of family caregivers of hemodialysis patients.

METHODS

This randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2021. Sixty-six family caregivers of hemodialysis patients were recruited by convenience sampling from a referral hospital in Tehran, Iran, and assigned randomly by coin toss to two groups of experimental (n = 32) and control (n = 34). Caregivers in the experimental group performed Jacobson's relaxation three times a week, each time for 30-45 min, for 30 days. The score and severity of fatigue before, 2 weeks after, and 1 month after the intervention were measured with the Fatigue Severity Scale. Data analysis was performed in the statistics software SPSS using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and analytic statistics (Independent Samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-Square test, Fisher's exact test, and RM-ANOVA test). The significance level was less than 0.05.

RESULTS

The fatigue scores of the experimental and control groups were not significantly different before the intervention (4.42 ± 0.42 vs. 4.38 ± 0.42, P = 0.696). However, the experimental group had significantly lower fatigue scores than the control group 2 weeks after the intervention (4.11 ± 0.63 vs. 4.39 ± 0.42, P = 0.036) and 1 month after the intervention (3.5 ± 0.71 vs. 4.4 ± 0.44, P = 0.001). The results also showed a significant drop in the fatigue score of the experimental group after the intervention (P < 0.0001), but no such change in the control group (P = 0.662).

CONCLUSION

Jacobson's relaxation technique was effective in alleviating the fatigue of family caregivers of hemodialysis patients. Nurses are therefore recommended to promote the technique as a safe and easy method of fatigue management for family caregivers.

Quality of life, depression and anxiety in children and adolescents with CKD and their primary caregivers

INTRODUCTION

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires long-lasting treatments and severe changes in the routine of children, which may favor a low quality of life (QoL) and damage to their mental health and that of their primary caregivers (PC). The present study aimed to investigate the presence of anxiety and depression and to analyze the QoL of children and adolescents diagnosed with CKD at stages 3, 4, and 5, and their PC.

METHODS

We carried out an observational case-control study with 29 children and adolescents and their PC as the case group and 53 as the control group. International instruments, validated for the Brazilian population, were used: Child Anxiety Inventory (STAI-C), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PEDSQL), Child Depression Inventory (CDI), Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventory (BAI; BDI), and the WHOQOL-bref.

RESULTS

The study identified statistically significant differences in the PEDSQL total score (control group, 72.7 ± 19.5; case group, 63.3 ± 20.6; p = 0.0305) and in the psychosocial (control group, 70.5 ± 20.5 and case group, 61.4 ± 19.7; p = 0.0420) and school health dimensions (control group, 72.9 ± 21.0 and case group, 55.2 ± 19.8; p = 0.0003) and the presence of psychiatric comorbidity (depression and anxiety symptoms) in the case group (p = 0.02). As for PC, the study showed statistical significance for the prevalence of depression (p = 0.01) and anxiety (p = 0.02) symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Patients with CKD have lower QoL indices and more psychiatric comorbidities, and their PC are affected by the disease, with higher indices of depression and anxiety.

Caregiver Burden in Adult Solid Organ Transplantation

The informal caregiver plays a critical role in supporting patients with various end-stage diseases throughout the solid organ transplantation journey. Caregiver responsibilities include assistance with activities of daily living, medication management, implementation of highly specialized treatments, transportation to appointments and treatments, and health care coordination and navigation. The demanding nature of these tasks has profound impacts across multiple domains of the caregiver's life: physical, psychological, financial, logistical, and social. Few interventions targeting caregiver burden have been empirically evaluated, with the majority focused on education or mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques. Further research is urgently needed to develop and evaluate interventions to improve caregiver burden and outcomes for the patient-caregiver dyad.

Impact of the teach-back method on caregiver outcomes using the "Timing it Right" framework for hemodialysis patients

Background

The caregivers play vital roles in the health care of hemodialysis patients. Ineffective education strategy for the caregivers negatively affects the care ability of caregivers. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the teach-back method based on the "Timing it Right" framework on the caregivers' care ability, emotions and health-related quality of life for hemodialysis patients.

Methods

The study involved 78 caregivers of 78 hemodialysis patients. Participants in the control group received routine nursing care and traditional oral health education, while those in the intervention group received health education through the teach-back method based on the "Timing it Right" framework. All participants were followed for 6 months. The degree of anxiety and depression of caregivers was evaluated through the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), respectively. The care ability of caregivers was assessed by the Family Caregiver Task Inventory (FCTI). The health-related quality of life of hemodialysis patients was evaluated using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).

Results

Compared to baseline (T0), the SAS, SDS and FCTI scores of the intervention group were significantly reduced at the time of discharge (T1), three (T2) and 6 months (T3) (all p < 0.001). Besides, at T1, T2, and T3, the FCTI scores of the intervention group were significantly lower than that in control group (all p < 0.001). The SAS and SDS scores were also significantly lower in the intervention group at T1, T2, and T3 compared to the control group (all p < 0.001). For SF-36 scores, all domains of the intervention group were significantly higher than those of the control group at T1, T2 and T3, including physical functioning (p < 0.001), role physical (p = 0.007), bodily pain (p < 0.001), general health (p = 0.002), vitality (p = 0.043), social functioning (p = 0.016), role emotional (p = 0.002), and mental health(p = 0.025).

Conclusion

The application of teach-back method based on the "Timing it Right" framework could obviously alleviate the anxiety and depression of caregivers for hemodialysis patients. Furthermore, it could significantly improve the care ability of caregivers and the quality of life of patients.

The impact of caring on caregivers of patients with life-threatening organ failure

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed at characterizing 3 populations of family/friend caregivers of patients with different life-threatening organ failure regarding health-related quality of life, caregiver burden, and dyadic coping.

METHODS

Three cross-sectional (population) studies were conducted at a tertiary hospital in Denmark (2019-2020). Patients with renal failure (RF), cystic fibrosis (CF), and intestinal failure (IF) were asked to designate the closest person with ≥18 years old involved in the care (caregiver) to participate in this study. Number of caregivers included were RF = 78, CF = 104, and IF = 73. Electronic questionnaires were filled in by caregivers to assess health-related quality of life and caregiver burden and by caregivers and respective patients to assess dyadic coping.

RESULTS

The 3 caregiver groups had self-perception of poor health and energy; however, caregivers of CF patients perceived their physical role functioning better than those caregiving for RF and IF patients (p = 0.002). The level of caregiver burden was reported as not high, but caregivers used in average 13 hours/day for caring. Moreover, cleaning tasks (p = 0.005) and personal care (p = 0.009) were more demanding in RF and IF patients. Caregivers also did not differ regarding dyadic coping. When comparing patients and caregivers, stress communication by oneself and the partner differed (p < 0.001).

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS

Caregivers spent many hours in the care role, they reported poor health, and dyadic coping may be improved. Interventions in caregivers of patients with life-threatening organ failure could help to improve care management at home, caregiver's health, and dyadic coping between caregiver and patient and consequently reduce caregiver burden.

Comparing Kidney Transplant Rates and Outcomes Among Adults With and Without Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Importance

Improving equity in organ transplant access for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is a topic of social discourse in mainstream media, state legislation, and national legislation. However, few studies have compared evaluation rates, transplant rates, and outcomes among adults with and without IDD.

Objective

To compare rates of kidney transplant and transplant-specific outcomes between propensity-score matched groups of adults with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD [also referred to as end-stage renal disease (ESRD)]) with and without co-occurring IDD.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study included all Medicare inpatient and outpatient standard analytical files from 2013 through 2020. A total of 1 413 655 adult Medicare beneficiaries with ESKD were identified. Propensity-score matching was used to balance cohorts based on age, sex, race, follow-up duration, and Charlson Comorbidity Index. The matched cohorts consisted of 21 384 adults with ESKD (10 692 of whom had IDD) and 1258 kidney transplant recipients (629 of whom had IDD). Data were analyzed between June 1, 2022, and August 1, 2022.

Exposure

IDD.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Evaluation for kidney transplant, receipt of kidney transplant, perioperative complications, readmission, mortality, graft rejection, and graft failure.

Results

Of the 21 384 propensity-score matched adults with ESKD, the median (IQR) age was 55 (43-65) years, 39.2% were male, 27.4% were Black, 64.1% were White, and 8.5% identified as another race or ethnicity. After propensity score matching within the ESKD cohort, 633 patients with IDD (5.9%) received a kidney transplant compared with 1367 of adults without IDD (12.8%). Adults with IDD were 54% less likely than matched peers without IDD to be evaluated for transplant (odds ratio, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.43-0.50) and 62% less likely to receive a kidney transplant (odds ratio, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.34-0.42). Among matched cohorts of kidney transplant recipients, rates of perioperative complications, readmission, and graft failure were similar for adults with and without IDD.

Conclusions and Relevance

Using the largest cohort of adult kidney transplant recipients with IDD to date, the study team found that rates of evaluation and transplant were lower despite yielding equivalent outcomes. These data support consideration of adults with IDD for kidney transplant and underscore the urgent need for antidiscrimination initiatives to promote the receipt of equitable care for this population.

Qualidade de vida, depressão e ansiedade em crianças e adolescentes com DRC e seus cuidadores primários

RESUMO Introdução: A doença renal crônica (DRC) requer tratamentos duradouros e alterações severas na rotina de crianças, o que pode favorecer baixa qualidade de vida (QV) e danos à sua saúde mental e à de seus cuidadores primários (CP). O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar a presença de ansiedade e depressão e analisar a QV de crianças e adolescentes diagnosticados com DRC nos estágios 3, 4, 5, e seus CP. Métodos: Realizamos estudo observacional de caso-controle com 29 crianças e adolescentes e seus CP como grupo de casos e 53 como grupo controle. Utilizamos instrumentos internacionais, validados para a população brasileira: Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado Infantil (IDATE-C), Questionário Pediatric Quality of Life (PEDSQL), Inventário de Depressão Infantil (CDI), Inventário de Ansiedade e Depressão de Beck (BAI; BDI), e o WHOQOL-bref. Resultados: O estudo identificou diferenças estatisticamente significativas no escore total do PEDSQL (grupo controle, 72,7 ± 19,5; grupo de casos, 63,3 ± 20,6; p = 0,0305), no psicossocial (grupo controle, 70,5 ± 20,5; grupo de casos, 61,4 ± 19,7; p = 0,0420), nas dimensões de saúde escolar (grupo controle, 72,9 ± 21,0; grupo de casos, 55,2 ± 19,8; p = 0,0003) e na presença de comorbidade psiquiátrica (sintomas de depressão e ansiedade) no grupo de casos (p = 0,02). Quanto aos CP, o estudo demonstrou significância estatística para a prevalência de sintomas de depressão (p = 0,01) e ansiedade (p = 0,02). Conclusão: Pacientes com DRC apresentam índices mais baixos de QV e mais comorbidades psiquiátricas, e seus CP são afetados pela doença, com índices maiores de depressão e ansiedade.

Burden, depression and anxiety effects on family caregivers of patients with chronic kidney disease in Greece: a comparative study between dialysis modalities and kidney transplantation

INTRODUCTION

Burden of caregivers is a status that was identified as a consequence of daily care. Anxiety and depression are probably related to complex tasks interwined with the care of a family member suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD).

PURPOSE

To examine the experienced burden, anxiety and depression of Greek caregivers of patients with End-Stage CKD on dialysis as well as kidney transplant recipients (TX) in relation to their demographic profile and to compare among the groups.

METHODS

A total of 396 participants (198 couples of patients and caregivers) were recruited. Structured interviews and self-completed questionnaires were obtained from patients undergoing dialysis modalities as well as TX (28 peritoneal dialysis patients, 137 hemodialysis patients, 33 TX) and their caregivers. Zarit Burden Interview, Beck Depression Inventory and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 scales were used as screening tools.

RESULTS

The majority of caregivers were females (67.2%), with a median age of 58 years. Total burden was indicated as mild to moderate (Mdn = 36 (24-51)). Caregivers of haemodialysis (HD) patients showed the highest burden (Mdn = 40 (26-53)) followed by peritoneal dialysis(PD) (Mdn = 29 (25-51)) and TX group (Mdn = 28 (21-43)) (p = 0.022). Caregivers' depression and anxiety were related to the type of patients' treatment, as well. Caregivers of HD and PD patients reported significantly higher depression (Mdn = 11 (5-18)) and anxiety scores (Mdn = 3 (2-5)) in comparison to TX caregivers (Mdn = 6 (2-13) and Mdn = 2 (2-4)) (p = 0.045 and p = 0.04, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Caregivers of TX patients appeared to have less burden, depression and anxiety levels compared with caregivers of patients on dialysis modalities. Caregivers' burden is significantly associated with anxiety, depressive symptoms, gender, duration of caregiving, educational level, financial status and caregivers' age.

Functional status and caregiver burden of patients on maintenance haemodialysis in Cameroon: a two-centre cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Data on the functional status (FS) of patients on maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) and their caregiver burden (CGB) in SSA where patients have fewer weekly dialysis sessions and pay out-of-pocket for dialysis-related costs is sparse.  OBJECTIVES: To assess the functional status of Patients on MHD in Cameroon, and the burden of their Caregivers, and to determine the factors associated with functional status impairment (FSI), and high caregiver burden (HCGB).  METHODS: We consecutively enrolled patients on MHD at the Bamenda Regional, and Yaounde General Hospitals over a period of 3 months. We included patients on MHD for ≥ 3 months and their caregivers. Patients and/or caregivers with documented dementia were excluded. Through a face-to-face interview, FS was assessed by combining self-reports of 8 instrumental, and 5 basic activities of daily living using the Lawton-Brody and the Katz (LBKQ) scales, and CGB was assessed using the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale (ZCGBS). We defined functional status impairment (FSI) as a score ≥ 1 on the LBKQ scale, and a high CGB as a ZCGBS score ≥ 41. Data were analysed using the IBM-SPSS version 26.0 RESULTS: A total of 115 patients and 51 caregivers (CGs) were enrolled. The mean age of the patients was 46.9 ± 15.0 years, and 54.8% (n = 63) were males, whereas the mean age of the CGs was 38.30 ± 13.10 years with 72.5% (n = 39) being females. A total of 90 (78.3%) patients had functional status impairment (FSI), while 78.4% (n = 40) of caregivers experienced a burden (41.2% classified as moderate, and 37.2% as high). Anaemia (aOR = 9.2, CI = 3.9-29.4, p < 0.001), and a high daily pill burden (aOR = 4.4, CI = 1.1-18.5, p = 0.043) were independently associated with FSI, while age of caregiver ≥ 45 years (aOR 9.9, CI = 1.7-56.8, P = 0.01) was independently associated with a high CGB. There was a strong positive correlation between FS and CGB.

CONCLUSION

There is a high prevalence of functional status impairment in patients on maintenance haemodialysis in Cameroon, resulting in high a physical and psychological burden on their caregivers.

Assessing Burden, Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life among Caregivers of Hemodialysis Patients in Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Family caregivers endure the burden of caring for patients receiving hemodialysis, which can affect their psychological status and may disrupt the care process. This study aims to assess the level of burden, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL) among family caregivers, to investigate the influence of caregivers’ sociodemographic factors and patients’ clinical conditions on the level of burden, and investigate how burden affects anxiety/depression and QOL. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted from September to October 2020. A total of 104 caregivers with a mean age of 44.4 ± 12.7 years (63.5% women) in the hemodialysis department of a hospital in Indonesia were examined. Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and WHOQOL-BREF were used. Descriptive analysis was conducted to assess the level of psychological status, and multiple regression analysis and path analysis were performed to evaluate the association among all factors. As result, regarding burden, 10.2% had a moderate-to-severe burden, and in terms of anxiety and depression, 25% and 9.6% showed abnormal cases; the mean scores of 4 domains of QOL were about 60 points. Burden and anxiety/depression were significantly negatively associated with all domains of QOL (p < 0.001); however, sociodemographic and clinical factors were not associated with any of the QOL domains. The path analysis results showed that burden positively correlated with anxiety/depression and negatively correlated with QOL via anxiety/depression. In conclusion, family caregivers’ QOL was found to be indirectly influenced by burden through anxiety/depression. Further evaluation of clinical significance and implications for caregiver’s lifestyle regarding anxiety and depression, which result in caregiver burden, is warranted.

Caregiver burden in pediatric dialysis: application of the Paediatric Renal Caregiver Burden Scale

BACKGROUND

Caring for a child with kidney failure on dialysis profoundly impacts caregivers' lives, yet the depth of this burden is not well understood. The Paediatric Renal Caregiver Burden Scale (PR-CBS) is a recently validated instrument used to measure caregiver burden in this population.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional study of caregiver burden for caregivers of children with kidney failure receiving dialysis at three pediatric centers. Caregivers completed the PR-CBS instrument as part of a larger qualitative study of caregiver experience. We performed descriptive statistics. T-tests were used to examine differences between dialysis modality and within key demographics. Multivariate linear regression was utilized to assess associations between significant factors and total score.

RESULTS

Ten caregivers of children receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 21 receiving hemodialysis (HD) participated. Total burden score and mean score for every domain was higher for caregivers of children on HD compared to PD. PR-CBS score was significantly associated with younger child age and married status in caregivers. In adjusted multivariate analysis, dialysis modality and married marital status were significantly associated with PR-CBS score.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that dialysis caregivers experience significant caregiver burden and demonstrates the utility of the PR-CBS in an American population. We found higher burdens among HD caregivers, younger children, and married caregivers. While these findings must be replicated on a larger scale, they suggest possible areas for targeted interventions to improve the quality of life of children with kidney failure and their families. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Psychological consequences for family caregivers of patients receiving hemodialysis: threat or opportunity?

BACKGROUND

Family caregivers of patients receiving hemodialysis experience physical and psychological disorders. They are unfortunately neglected. The aim of this study was to explain the psychological consequences for family caregivers of patients receiving hemodialysis.

METHODS

This qualitative inductive conventional content analysis research approach was conducted in Tehran, Iran. Nineteen hemodialysis patient caregivers were enrolled via purposive sampling. Data collection was conducted through in-depth and semi-structured interviews until reaching data saturation. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, imported into the Open Code Software, and analyzed using the Graneheim and Lundman methods.

RESULTS

The results included two main categories: (1) threats to the psychological integrity; (2) development of capabilities. The first main category comprised the sub-categories of "care-related negative feelings and emotions," care-related stress and its behavioral impacts on care, "psychological disorders arising from care provision," and "impaired quality and quantity of sleep." The second main category comprised of the sub-categories of "care-related positive feelings and emotions" and "coping strategies."

CONCLUSIONS

The present study showed that though caring for hemodialysis patients threatens the caregiver's psychological integrity, it provides the opportunity of development capabilities.

Factors Associated with Burden in Caregivers of Patients with End-Stage Kidney Disease (A Systematic Review)

BACKGROUND

Caring for a patient with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is highly stressful and can impact negatively on the physical and psychological well-being of caregivers. To accurately assess caregiver burden (CB), health care providers (HCPs) need to identify characteristics associated with an increase in CB.

AIM

The aim of this review is to explore CB in caregivers of adult patients with ESKD and to identify characteristics associated with any increase in CB.

METHOD

A comprehensive literature search was completed using five electronic databases. Medline, Embase, CINHAL, PsycINFO, and Scopus. The Joanna Briggs Institute checklist (JBI) was used to quality appraise full text papers included in the review. No time limit for the date of publication of studies was employed, to enable the inclusion of more extensive literature.

RESULTS

A total of 38 relevant studies from 18 countries were identified and included in the review. A variety of patient and caregiver factors can impact positively or negatively on CB, including socio-demographic factors of patients and caregivers, disease-related factors, situational and relational factors, environmental factors, and psychological factors.

CONCLUSION

This review provides awareness to HCPs of the important factors associated with CB, when assessing or targeting interventions for caregivers experiencing burden.

The Living Donor Navigator Program Provides Support Tools for Caregivers

INTRODUCTION

The Living Donor Navigator (LDN) program is one of several initiatives designed to help transplant candidates identify living donors with the help of a friend or family member advocate to speak on their behalf. More than half of advocates in the LDN program were the spouse or parent of the candidate and served in a caregiving role. Caregivers for patients awaiting transplantation have reported poorer quality of life than the general population, suggesting more support is needed for this vulnerable group. The purpose of this study was to understand whether the LDN program met the needs of advocates who were also caregivers for the transplant candidate.

METHODS

We performed a supplementary secondary qualitative analysis of a parent study conducted December 2017-January 2018 with 9 advocates who participated in the LDN program. Transcripts were reanalyzed from focus group discussions, concentrating on comments about caregiving or made by caregivers. Using manual coding and reflexive thematic analysis, we identified broad codes and major themes.

FINDINGS

Our re-analysis revealed one theme overlapping with our previous analysis (Support) and 2 new themes specific to caregiver advocates: Quality of Life and Fear. Caregivers agreed that the LDN program equipped them with tools to address these areas and best serve their simultaneous caregiver/advocate roles.

DISCUSSION

These analyses demonstrated that those who served as advocate and caregiver derived a benefit from the LDN program but had distinct needs from other advocates. These findings can inform continued refinement of the program and expansion to support needs of caregiver.

Caregiver Burden and Spiritual Well-being in Caregivers of Hemodialysis Patients

The number of hemodialysis patients is increasing worldwide, and the caregivers of these patients experience a great burden. This study was conducted to examine the relationship between caregiver burden and spiritual well-being in caregivers of hemodialysis patients in Kerman, Iran. This correlational study was conducted on 382 caregivers of hemodialysis patients. Data were collected using the Caregiver Burden Inventory (24 items) and Ellison and Paloutzian 20-Item Spiritual Well-being Questionnaire. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics (t test, ANOVA, Spearman correlation, and linear regression analysis) in SPSS 20 software. The findings showed that 45 (11.8%) caregivers had mild, 214 (56%) moderate, and 123 (32.2%) high caregiver burden. Furthermore, 1 (0.3%) caregiver had mild, 349 (92.4%) moderate, and 32 (8.4%) high spiritual well-being. Also, Spearman correlation test showed a significant reveres relationship between caregiver burden and spiritual well-being scores (p < 0.001, r = - 0.41). Moreover, the results of the regression analysis showed that the patient's income, frequency of patient dialysis per week, and patient's need to receive care and spiritual well-being were predictors of caregiver burden, which explained 41% of the burden in caregivers. The results of this study revealed that spiritual well-being was negatively related to caregiver burden and was one of its predictors. Therefore, spirituality can be used as a low-cost and effective intervention to reduce the caregiver's burden.

Exploring the Relationship Between Patient Activation, Treatment Satisfaction, and Decisional Conflict in Patients Approaching End-Stage Renal Disease

BACKGROUND

Patients approaching end-stage renal disease (ESRD) experience a high level of decisional conflict because they are often not provided with sufficient support and information regarding different treatment options prior to renal failure. Decisional conflict is an important correlate of treatment satisfaction, as it is associated with disease- and treatment-related knowledge that can inform decision-making. Patient activation, the willingness and ability to independently manage one's own health and healthcare, is an individual difference factor that may have important mitigating effects on decisional conflict.

PURPOSE

To identify modifiable factors that may enhance the decision-making process in patients approaching ESRD by exploring potential mediational effects between decisional conflict, treatment satisfaction, and patient activation.

METHODS

Sixty-four patients approaching ESRD completed self-report measures (32% response rate). Measures included the Decisional Conflict Scale, the Kidney Disease Treatment Questionnaire, and the Patient Activation Measure Short Form.

RESULTS

There was a high level of self-reported decisional conflict in this sample. Linear regressions revealed main effects among treatment satisfaction, patient activation, and decisional conflict. These variables were entered into PROCESS to assess a mediational pattern. Results showed that higher chronic kidney disease-related treatment satisfaction predicted lower decisional conflict through higher patient activation in a statistical mediational relationship.

CONCLUSIONS

While the link between treatment satisfaction and decision-making is well established, these results suggest this relationship might be partially explained by patient activation, a potentially modifiable process in patients approaching ESRD. Therefore, interventions that encourage patients to become actively involved in their care could also reduce decisional conflict among patients approaching ESRD.

The Experience of Primary Caregivers of Undocumented Immigrants with End-Stage Kidney Disease that Rely on Emergency-Only Hemodialysis

BACKGROUND

Undocumented immigrants with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) who rely on emergency-only hemodialysis (dialysis only after an emergency department evaluation) face psychosocial distress. Emergency-only hemodialysis (EOHD) is likely burdensome for primary caregivers as well.

OBJECTIVE

To understand the experience of primary caregivers of undocumented immigrants with ESKD who rely on emergency-only hemodialysis.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A qualitative, semi-structured interview study to assess the experiences of primary caregivers of undocumented immigrants with ESKD at a safety-net hospital in Denver, Colorado from June 28 to November 15, 2018. Applied thematic analysis was used to analyze interviews.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Themes and subthemes.

RESULTS

Twenty primary caregiver participants had a mean (SD) age of 46 (17), 13 (65%) were female, 7 (35%) were in an adult child caregiver role, and 13 (65%) were spouses. Five themes and 17 subthemes (in parentheses) were identified: (1) Caregiver role (providing emotional, physical, and economic support, advocacy and care navigation), (2) Caregiver burden (anxiety related to patient and personal death, emotional exhaustion and personal illness, struggle with finances, self-care and redefining relationship), (3) Unpredictable EOHD (acute episodes of illness that trigger emergency, stress when patient is denied dialysis, impact on work and sleep, and emotional relief after a session of EOHD), (4) Effect on children (dropping out or missing school, psychosocial distress, children assuming caregiver responsibilities, and juggling multi-generational caregiving of children), (5) Faith and appreciation (comfort in God and appreciation of healthcare).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Caregivers of undocumented immigrants with ESKD who rely upon EOHD experience caregiver burden and distress. The impact of EOHD on caregivers should be considered when assessing the consequences of excluding undocumented immigrants from public insurance programs.

Kidney Dyads: Caregiver Burden and Relationship Strain Among Partners of Dialysis and Transplant Patients

BACKGROUND

Caring for dialysis patients is difficult, and this burden often falls on a spouse or cohabiting partner (henceforth referred to as caregiver-partners). At the same time, these caregiver-partners often come forward as potential living kidney donors for their loved ones who are on dialysis (henceforth referred to as patient-partners). Caregiver-partners may experience tangible benefits to their well-being when their patient-partner undergoes transplantation, yet this is seldom formally considered when evaluating caregiver-partners as potential donors.

METHODS

To quantify these potential benefits, we surveyed caregiver-partners of dialysis patients and kidney transplant (KT) recipients (N = 99) at KT evaluation or post-KT. Using validated tools, we assessed relationship satisfaction and caregiver burden before or after their patient-partner's dialysis initiation and before or after their patient-partner's KT.

RESULTS

Caregiver-partners reported increases in specific measures of caregiver burden (P = 0.03) and stress (P = 0.01) and decreases in social life (P = 0.02) and sexual relations (P < 0.01) after their patient-partner initiated dialysis. However, after their patient-partner underwent KT, caregiver-partners reported improvements in specific measures of caregiver burden (P = 0.03), personal time (P < 0.01), social life (P = 0.01), stress (P = 0.02), sexual relations (P < 0.01), and overall quality of life (P = 0.03). These improvements were of sufficient impact that caregiver-partners reported similar levels of caregiver burden after their patient-partner's KT as before their patient-partner initiated dialysis (P = 0.3).

CONCLUSIONS

These benefits in caregiver burden and relationship quality support special consideration for spouses and partners in risk-assessment of potential kidney donors, particularly those with risk profiles slightly exceeding center thresholds.

Burden and Sleeping Disorders of Family Caregivers of Hemodialysis Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease-End Stage: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Chronic illnesses with high level of disability can affect not only the patients but also the main caregiver who supports them. The aim of this study was to investigate the burden and sleep disorders of family caregivers of hemodialysis patients.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study. The sample of the study consisted of 310 family caregivers of hemodialysis patients. The tools used were the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep disorders assessment, the Zarit Burden Interview, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) for burden and depression assessment, respectively.

RESULTS

The total burden of caregivers was serious at 35.5%, and this rate increased to 64.8% if we added the moderate burden. About 26.7% of caregivers were positive in depressive symptoms and 20% at risk (predisposition) for depression. The factor with the greatest correlation with the overall burden was personal strain (r = 0.952, p < 0.001) followed by the role strain factor (r = 0.901, p < 0.001). About half of the respondents (51.6%) had poor quality of sleep. The factors that were strongly related to the overall degree of sleep quality were the actual sleep duration and daytime dysfunctions.

CONCLUSIONS

Caregivers of hemodialysis patients face an increased risk for burden and sleep disorders development. Continuous and regular assessment of the caregivers' quality of life and the provision of psychological support may reduce the burden of caregivers and improve the emotional disorders they face.

Bridging the Behavioral Health Gap in Serious Illness Care: Challenges and Strategies for Workforce Development

Comorbidity with behavioral health conditions is highly prevalent among those experiencing serious medical illnesses and is associated with poor outcomes. Siloed provision of behavioral and physical healthcare has contributed to a workforce ill-equipped to address the often complex needs of these clinical populations. Trained specialist behavioral health providers are scarce and there are gaps in core behavioral health competencies among serious illness care providers. Core competency frameworks to close behavioral health training gaps in primary care exist, but these have not extended to some of the distinct skills and roles required in serious illness care settings. This paper seeks to address this issue by describing a common framework of training competencies across the full spectrum of clinical responsibility and behavioral health expertise for those working at the interface of behavioral health and serious illness care. The authors used a mixed-method approach to develop a model of behavioral health and serious illness care and to delineate seven core skill domains necessary for practitioners working at this interface. Existing opportunities for scaling-up the workforce as well as priority policy recommendation to address barriers to implementation are discussed.

Perfil del cuidador del paciente con Enfermedad Renal Crónica: una revisión de la literatura

Introducción: Los cuidadores de pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) presentan alteraciones físicas, sociales, económicas, espirituales y emocionales, derivadas de su rol. Conocer el perfil del cuidador principal es fundamental para establecer intervenciones de apoyo y asistencia. Objetivo: Determinar el perfil del cuidador del paciente con ERC referido en la literatura, que describa las variables sociodemográficas y el predominio de condiciones de salud relacionadas con el cuidado del familiar. Metodología: Se realizó una revisión narrativa de la literatura, siguiendo recomendaciones de la declaración PRISMA. Se incluyeron estudios primarios (experimentales u observacionales, cuantitativos y cualitativos), acerca de los efectos en la salud del cuidador familiar de pacientes. Se consultaron las bases de datos ProQuest, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Dialnet, Redalyc y Scielo; entre 2011 y 2018. Resultados: Como características sociodemográficas de los cuidadores familiares, predomina el 41.66 % mayor de 53 años; género femenino con 92.30%, estado civil: casados 66.66%; escolaridad primaria 26.08% y ocupación ama de casa 22.22%. En referencia a los efectos en salud, los emocionales prevalecen la ansiedad y depresión, seguido de alteraciones en el sueño, que afecta la calidad de vida del cuidador. Conclusión: El conocimiento del cuidador en sus variables sociodemográficas permite establecer acciones acordes a las necesidades y la intervención de efectos emocionales, mala calidad del sueño, el aislamiento social que afecta la calidad de vida del cuidador y por ende al paciente.

Association between exercise training in haemodialysis patients and burden of their family caregivers: A cross-sectional study

AIM

Considering that exercise programmes are related with a range of benefits for end-stage renal disease patients, we evaluated the association between haemodialysis (HD) patients' involvement in intradialytic exercise training with the burden of their family caregivers.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 60 caregivers of HD patients were recruited, 30 of them who cared for patients that regularly participated in an exercise programme during dialysis sessions and 30 caregivers who looked after patients undergoing usual HD treatment without intradialytic exercise. The caregivers were submitted to the Caregiver Burden Scale (CBS) and their quality of life (short-form-36 (SF-36)), anxiety and depression levels were assessed. Data were expressed as mean ± SD or median (interquartile range).

RESULTS

Multiple linear regression showed that the global CBS score was significantly associated with the exercise training after adjusting for age, educational level and anxiety level of caregivers, and dependency level of patients measured by the Lawton scale (coefficient of determination = 0.53; adjusted coefficient of determination = 0.48). Additionally, the caregivers of HD patients submitted to intradialytic exercise (42.0 ± 12.9 years, 33.3% male) compared to caregivers of patients undergoing usual treatment (50.7 ± 17.5 years, 26.7% male) exhibited less caregiver burden (global CBS score = 1.2 (0.2) vs 1.9 (0.7), P < 0.001), better quality of life (physical component score = 53.7 (9.6) vs 49.7 (16.2) and mental component score = 50.6 (17.5) vs 28.2 (32.5), P < 0.05) and lower anxiety (7.2 ± 4.2 vs 10.8 ± 4.1, P = 0.001) and depression levels (3.0 (3.3) vs 6.0 (5.3), P = 0.034), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Intradialytic exercise training in HD patients was associated with lower burden of their family caregivers.

They have got the blues: patient's mood- and disease activity-related psychological burden of rheumatoid arthritis on caregivers

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as a long-lasting disease, not only affects the musculoskeletal health but also deteriorates the psychological well-being of the patient. What about their caregivers? There exist a limited number of studies on this issue. The objectives of the present study were (i) to evaluate the psychological health among caregivers of RA patients and (ii) to determine the confounding factors playing role on their psychological status. Methods: Fifty-three RA patients and their caregivers were included in this cross-sectional study. Disease activity was assessed by using the disease activity score 28 based on C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) and rheumatoid arthritis disease activity index-5 (RADAI-5), while disability was evaluated by disability of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) questionnaire. Psychological status was tested by Beck's depression and anxiety inventories (BDI and BAI). Results: A total of 53 patients with RA were included in the study. Caregivers' depression score was weakly correlated with disease activity variables including DAS28-CRP, RADAI and DASH scores (rs = .304, rs = .392 and rs = .301, respectively); and moderately correlated with patients' depression score and caregivers' comorbidity (rs = .407 and rs = .451, respectively). Conclusions: The psychological impact of RA on caregivers appears to be associated with patients' mood, disease activity and upper extremity functionality.

Characteristics of Burden, Coping Strategies, and Quality of Life: The Effect of Age, Gender, and Social Variables in Caregivers of Renal Transplanted Patients from Southern Andhra Pradesh, India

Background:

Evaluation of burden, coping strategies, and quality of life (QOL) in caregivers may lead to specific interventions to reduce the burden among caregivers.

Methods:

In this prospective study, characteristics of burden, coping strategies, and QOL in caregivers was investigated and also studied the effect of age, gender, and social variables on these concepts.

Results:

Mean burden score of the caregivers was 28.66 ± 2.02. Thirty percent of caregivers had mild-to-moderate burden followed by moderate-to-severe burden (20%). Seeking social support was the dominant coping strategy used by the caregivers. Role limitations due to the physical health (RLDPH) and role limitations due to emotional problem (RLDEP) were compromised subscales of QOL. The mean score of RLDPH (P = 0.007) and RLDEP (P = 0.014) were found to be significantly higher in males than that of females. Marital status, education, type of relationship with the patient, religion, occupation, and duration of care giving showed significant effect on burden, coping strategies, and QOL. Lower emotional well-being (P = 0.003) and escape avoidance (P = 0.000) in males and lower physical component (PC) (P = 0.002) in females and lower PC (P = 0.000) and escape avoidance (P = 0.001) were found to be the significant predictors of burden in caregivers of renal transplanted patients.

Conclusion:

Predictors of burden and QOL subscales varies by gender. Social and clinical variables influence the QOL subscales. Gender- and social group-specific interventions rather than global interventions may reduce the burden of caregivers.

Anxiety and depression among caregivers of hemodialysis patients at the Indonesian national referral hospital

Background: In Indonesia, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is primarily managed by hemodialysis (HD) because limited resources rule out the possibility of renal transplantation. HD patients are commonly accompanied by caregivers. However, most studies have neglected the health of caregivers, who play an important role in the survival of HD patients. This study aimed to determine the proportion of caregivers who suffer from anxiety and depression and the factors involved.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 100 caregivers in the HD unit of Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta. This study used the hospital anxiety depression scale (HADS) to determine the extent of anxiety and depression among caregivers. All caregivers were asked to fill out the questionnaire without assistance.Results: A total of 28% and 18% of caregivers were found to be anxious and depressed respectively. The caregiver’s relationship with the patient, whether the caregiver was being paid or unpaid, the total duration of care, and income were not associated with levels of anxiety and depression. However, the proportion of each 24-hour period spent on care was significantly associated with anxiety (p=0.037) and depression (p=0.015). The time spent on care every 24 hours was also a significant predictor of anxiety (p=<0.001) and depression (p=0.021).Conclusion: One-third of caregivers were found to be anxious and/or depressed. The time spent on care every 24 hours was a strong predictor of both anxiety and depression.

Patient reported barriers are associated with low physical and mental well-being in patients with co-morbid diabetes and chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

Little is known about how patient reported barriers to health care impact the quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with comorbid disease. We investigated patient reported barriers to health care and low physical and mental well-being among people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

METHODS

Adults with diabetes and CKD (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate < 60 ml/min/1.73m2) were recruited and completed a questionnaire on barriers to health care, the 12-Item HRQoL Short Form Survey and clinical assessment. Low physical and mental health status were defined as mean scores < 50. Logistic regression models were used.

RESULTS

Three hundred eight participants (mean age 66.9 ± 11 years) were studied. Patient reported 'impact of the disease on family and friends' (OR 2.07; 95% CI 1.14 to 3.78), 'feeling unwell' (OR 4.23; 95% CI 1.45 to 12.3) and 'having other life stressors that make self-care a low priority' (OR 2.59; 95% CI 1.20 to 5.61), were all associated with higher odds of low physical health status. Patient reported 'feeling unwell' (OR 2.92; 95% CI 1.07 to 8.01), 'low mood' (OR 2.82; 95% CI 1.64 to 4.87) and 'unavailability of home help' (OR 1.91; 95% CI 1.57 to 2.33) were all associated with higher odds of low mental health status. The greater the number of patient reported barriers the higher the odds of low mental health but not physical health status.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient reported barriers to health care were associated with lower physical and mental well-being. Interventions addressing these barriers may improve HRQoL among people with comorbid diabetes and CKD.

Burden of Care and Quality of Life Among Caregivers for Adults Receiving Maintenance Dialysis: A Systematic Review

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE

Dialysis is a burdensome and complex treatment for which many recipients require support from caregivers. The impact of caring for people dependent on dialysis on the quality of life of the caregivers has been incompletely characterized.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review of quantitative studies of quality of life and burden to caregivers.

SETTING & STUDY POPULATION

Caregivers of adults receiving maintenance dialysis.

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR STUDIES

The Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, PubMed, and MEDLINE were systematically searched from inception until December 2016 for quantitative studies of caregivers. Pediatric and non-English language studies were excluded. Study quality was assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale.

DATA EXTRACTION

2 independent reviewers selected studies and extracted data using a prespecified extraction instrument.

ANALYTICAL APPROACH

Descriptive reports of demographics, measurement scales, and outcomes. Quantitative meta-analysis using random effects when possible.

RESULTS

61 studies were identified that included 5,367 caregivers from 21 countries and assessed the impact on caregivers using 70 different scales. Most (85%) studies were cross-sectional. The largest identified group of caregivers was female spouses who cared for recipients of facility-based hemodialysis (72.3%) or peritoneal dialysis (20.6%). Caregiver quality of life was poorer than in the general population, mostly comparable with caregivers of people with other chronic diseases, and often better than experienced by the dialysis patients cared for. Caregiver quality of life was comparable across dialysis modalities.

LIMITATIONS

Heterogeneity in study design and outcome measures made comparisons between studies difficult and precluded quantitative meta-analysis. Study quality was generally poor.

CONCLUSIONS

Quality of life of caregivers of dialysis recipients is poorer than in the general population and comparable to that of caregivers of individuals with other chronic diseases. The impact of caring for recipients of home hemodialysis or changes in the impact of caring over time have not been well studied. Further research is needed to optimally inform dialysis programs how to educate and support caregivers.

Sexual function, anxiety and depression in women with benign breast disease. A case-control study

INTRODUCTION

Sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent, affecting 40% of the female population. The incidence of such dysfunction is known to be higher among women with malignant breast disease and in patients with depression or anxiety. However, there are few data regarding the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among women with benign breast disease (BBD).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the incidence of sexual dysfunction, depression and anxiety among women with BBD, in comparison with that observed for healthy women.

METHOD

We evaluated the incidence of sexual dysfunction in 60 patients with benign breast disease (fibroadenomas, breast cysts, breast pain and phyllodes tumor) and 69 healthy women (control group). Participants completed the Sexual Quotient Questionnaire for Females (SQQ-F), the Beck Depression Inventory and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Statistical analysis revealed that depression and anxiety were comparable between BBD and control groups (10.3 vs. 20.3% and 38.7 vs. 34.3%, respectively, p>0.05). The mean SQQ-F score (65.6±22.7 vs. 70.1±16.8; p>0.05) and sexual dysfunction (33.3 vs. 25.4%; p=0.324) were similar between BBD and control groups.

CONCLUSION

We found no differences between women with BBD and healthy women in terms of the incidence of sexual dysfunction, anxiety and depression. Nevertheless, given the high prevalence of this condition, it is important to assess sexual quality of life, as well as overall quality of life, in women with BBD.

Considering Tangible Benefit for Interdependent Donors: Extending a Risk-Benefit Framework in Donor Selection

From its infancy, live donor transplantation has operated within a framework of acceptable risk to donors. Such a framework presumes that risks of living donation are experienced by the donor while all benefits are realized by the recipient, creating an inequitable distribution that demands minimization of donor risk. We suggest that this risk-tolerance framework ignores tangible benefits to the donor. A previously proposed framework more fully considers potential benefits to the donor and argues that risks and benefits must be balanced. We expand on this approach, and posit that donors sharing a household with and/or caring for a potential transplant patient may realize tangible benefits that are absent in a more distantly related donation (e.g. cousin, nondirected). We term these donors, whose well-being is closely tied to their recipient, "interdependent donors." A flexible risk-benefit model that combines risk assessment with benefits to interdependent donors will contribute to donor evaluation and selection that more accurately reflects what is at stake for donors. In so doing, a risk-benefit framework may allow some donors to accept greater risk in donation decisions.

Emotion-oriented coping increases the risk of depression among caregivers of end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis

PURPOSE

We investigated the possible association between coping style and depressive feelings among caregivers of end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis.

METHODS

We studied 107 main caregivers of hemodialysis patients. Main caregiver was defined as the person on whom the patient counts for daily care or the one the patient calls upon in case of difficulties. Demographic data of caregivers and clinical data of patients were collected. The Jalowiec Coping Scale was applied to score two styles of coping: problem-oriented coping (POC) and emotion-oriented coping (EOC). Depression was screened by the 20-item version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). A score ≥16 was used to classify depression. Comparisons were made by Student's t and Chi-square tests. The Pearson's test was used to assess correlation between scores. Linear and logistic regressions were used, respectively, to test variables as predictors of the CES-D scores and the presence of depression.

RESULTS

The depression rate among caregivers was 71.9%. In the comparison between depressed and non-depressed caregivers, only EOC score differed, being higher among depressed ones (69.8 vs. 62.4; p < 0.001). EOC score was positively correlated with depression score (r = 0.368; p = <0.001). In the multivariate analysis, EOC independently predicted both the depression score (b = 0.272; p = 0.001) and the presence of depression (OR 1.221; 95% CI 1.123-1.339; p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that EOC is associated with and increases the risk of depression among caregivers of HD patients. We propose that strategies aiming to strengthen POC and diminish EOC can be applied to minimize depressive feelings.

An exploration into caring for a stroke-survivor in Lima, Peru: Emotional impact, stress factors, coping mechanisms and unmet needs of informal caregivers

INTRODUCTION

Understanding local complexities and challenges of stroke-related caregiving are essential to develop appropriate interventions. Our study aimed to characterize the impact of post-stroke care among caregivers in a setting of transitioning economy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Qualitative study based on in-depth interviews with primary caregivers of stroke survivors in Lima, Peru. Transcribed data was organized into the emotional impact of caregiving, main stress factors and coping mechanisms to deal with the caregiving role, as well as the unmet needs of caregivers.

RESULTS

We interviewed twelve caregivers, mean age 52.5 years, 8/12 were females, who were either the spouse or child of the stroke survivor. Stroke patients had a median age of 70 years, range 53-85 years. All participants reported having experienced emotional stress and depressive symptoms as a result of caregiving. Although most had family support, reduced social activities and added unanticipated financial burdens increased caregiver's stress. None of the caregivers had received training in post-stroke care tasks after the patient's discharge and only a few had received some psychological support, yet almost all expressed the need to see a professional to improve their mental health. Keeping a positive attitude towards their relative's physical post-stroke condition was a key coping mechanism.

CONCLUSIONS

In the absence of structured institutional responses, family members endure with the provision of care for stroke survivors, a task escorted by major emotional, financial, and social strains. This burden could be prevented or curtailed if caregivers were to be targeted by interventions providing psychological and financial support, together with basic training on post-stroke care.

How Adult Caregiving Impacts Sleep: a Systematic Review

Sleep disturbance can contribute to negative health outcomes. However, sleep complaints have been under-recognized and undertreated in caregivers of ill family members. This systematic review describes the impact of family caregiving on sleep and summarizes factors associated with sleep disturbance in caregivers. A literature search using PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases yielded 22 relevant research articles on family caregivers of ill adults. Analyses revealed that up to 76% of caregivers reported poor sleep quality, and the proportion is considerably higher for female caregivers compared to male caregivers. Sleep measures indicated short sleep duration and frequent night awakenings. Characteristics of the care recipient, such as health status, and the caregiver's own health status and symptoms, such as depression, fatigue, and anxiety, were associated with sleep disturbance in caregivers. These factors may help clinicians identify caregivers at highest risk for developing sleep disturbance and guide the family toward additional support.