Quality of life and burden of informal caregivers of post-stroke individuals

Abstract

Introduction: Assistance to post-stroke individuals is usually provided by family caregivers, but with a great burden and negative impact on their quality of life (QoL). Objective: To identify the population that currently takes care informally for individuals with sequelae resulting from stroke in Araranguá/SC (Brazil) and to assess the relationship between QoL and the level of burden in this population. Method: A cross-sectional study that evaluated 60 individuals: 30 informal caregivers of 30 chronic post-stroke individuals enrolled in Basic Health Units in Araranguá, SC. The following assessment instruments were used: Zarit Burden Interview Scale to assess burden and World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) to assess caregiver QoL; Functional Independence Measure (FIM) to assess functional independence and the Modified Rankin Scale to assess the individual's level of disability post-stroke. Results: Some level of burden was observed in 71.67% of the caregivers evaluated, with the majority (46.67%) having mild to moderate burden. The caregivers' QoL was altered, with lower levels of satisfaction on the physical and environment domains. A significant correlation was observed between burden and QoL (ρ=-0.60; p<0.01) of caregivers. Conclusion: The population of caregivers of post-stroke individuals residing in Araranguá proved to be overloaded with the care function, with changes in their QoL. The findings suggest the need for health interventions aimed not only at post-stroke individuals, but also at their family caregivers.