Stress levels amongst caregivers of patients with osteoporotic hip fractures - A prospective cohort study

Abstract

Introduction: We evaluated if there was significant stress in caregivers of elderly patients with osteoporotic hip fractures and determine any contributory factors. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed from June 2005 to June 2006 in a single tertiary hospital. Patients admitted during this period and their primary caregivers were interviewed on admission and at 6 months. Information on patient's demographics, comorbidities, functional and mental status, placement post-discharge and fi nancial strain were noted. Caregiver stress was measured using the caregiver strain index (CSI). Relationships between key variables were analysed to derive possible correlations. Results: The study comprised caregivers of 76 patients with a mean age of 77 years (range, 50 to 95; SD, 11). Within 1 week of admission, 45 of the 76 caregivers (59.2%) were signifi cantly stressed based on the CSI while at 6 months, 30 of the caregivers (50%) were signifi cantly stressed. The mean CSI within 1 week of admission and at 6 months post-admission was 7.18 and 6.25 respectively (P = 0.042). The most signifi - cant contributory factor to stress was fi nancial strain (P = 0.01) attributable to medical bills, rehabilitation costs and transport expenses. Conclusion: There is a signifi cant amount of stress that is experienced by caregivers of elderly patients with hip fractures which commences from admission of the patient and it remains high at 6-months post-fracture. Financial strain has been found to be the only signifi cant cause on both univariate and multivariate analysis. Adequate resources should be available to caregivers of patients with osteoporotic hip fractures.