Ramasamy Senthilkumar, Rathore Vinay, Agrawal Varun, Galhotra Abhiruchi
School of Public Health (at time of study), All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
Vedanta Medical Research Foundation (BALCO Medical Centre), Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
BMC Res Notes. 2025 Jul 15;18(1):291. doi: 10.1186/s13104-025-07374-1.
Caregivers of hemodialysis patients are at high risk of developing reduced quality of life (QoL) and increased caregiver burden.
This study aims to explore the level of caregiver burden and quality of life in caregivers of hemodialysis patients in central India.
This cross-sectional mixed-method study was undertaken among caregivers of stable hemodialysis patients attending a tertiary care hospital in central India. The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and WHOQoL BREF questionnaire measured caregiver burden and QoL. The qualitative data was gathered through in-depth interviews using a semi-structured open-ended questionnaire that delved into their personal experiences with caregiving. The transcripts of these interviews were analysed using applied thematic analysis, allowing for the identification and exploration of recurring themes and patterns within the data.
A total of 105 caregivers took part in this study, with a mean age of 40.04 ± 12.96 years. 56 (53.3%) caregivers were female. Most (48.6%, n = 51) were spouses/partners. Ten caregivers (9.5%) had to change their occupations due to caregiving responsibilities. 14 (23.33%) had comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and arthritis) themselves. The mean caregiver burden level (ZBI) was 18.55 ± 7.58. Most (59.0%) experienced mild to moderate burden, while 28.6% reported a high burden. The WHOQoL BREF mean score of various domains of physical health, psychological, social relationship and environmental was 35.70 ± 12.14, 44.20 ± 13.28, 44.28 ± 15.10 and 40.07 ± 13.36 respectively. The thematic analysis revealed, difficulty in continuing education and employment, changing jobs, the need to travel long distances to reach dialysis facilities and hardship due to COVID-19 pandemic as recurring challenges among caregivers.
Caregivers of Hemodialysis patients had significant caregiver burden and poor QoL. Regular assessment and special attention are needed for these caregivers.
血液透析患者的照护者出现生活质量下降和照护负担加重的风险很高。
本研究旨在探讨印度中部血液透析患者照护者的照护负担水平和生活质量。
这项横断面混合方法研究是在印度中部一家三级护理医院中，针对稳定血液透析患者的照护者开展的。使用 Zarit 负担访谈量表（ZBI）和世界卫生组织生活质量简表（WHOQoL BREF）来测量照护负担和生活质量。定性数据通过使用半结构化开放式问卷进行深入访谈收集，该问卷深入探讨了他们的照护个人经历。使用应用主题分析法对这些访谈的文字记录进行分析，以便识别和探索数据中反复出现的主题和模式。
共有 105 名照护者参与了本研究，平均年龄为 40.04 ± 12.96 岁。56 名（53.3%）照护者为女性。大多数（48.6%，n = 51）是配偶/伴侣。10 名照护者（9.5%）因照护责任不得不更换职业。14 名（23.33%）自身患有合并症（糖尿病、高血压、哮喘和关节炎）。照护者负担平均水平（ZBI）为 18.55 ± 7.58。大多数（59.0%）经历了轻度至中度负担，而 28.6% 报告负担较重。身体健康、心理、社会关系和环境等各个领域的 WHOQoL BREF 平均得分分别为 35.70 ± 12.14、44.20 ± 13.28、44.28 ± 15.10 和 40.07 ± 13.36。主题分析显示，继续教育和就业困难、更换工作、前往透析设施需要长途跋涉以及 COVID - 19 大流行带来的困难是照护者中反复出现的挑战。
血液透析患者的照护者有显著的照护负担且生活质量较差。需要对这些照护者进行定期评估并给予特别关注。
