PHS66 Outcomes and Determinants of Caregiver Burden After First-Ever Stroke: The Erlangen Stroke Project (ESPRO)

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Informal caregivers of stroke survivors provide extensive care which can be perceived as a burden. With regard to the high prevalence of stroke and increasing costs of care, limited attention is given to informal caregivers. The purpose of this analysis is to investigate specific caregiver burden outcomes 12 months after first-ever stroke and to identify determinants of caregiver burden. METHODS: Data were collected from the Erlangen Stroke Project among the 106,000 residents of the community of Erlangen, Germany. Analysis includes stroke survivors, followed- up 12 months after stroke as well as their informal, primary caregivers. The Caregiver Burden Scale (CBS) was used to assess caregiver burden. Explanatory factors of burden were examined in terms of socio-demographic data, functional status (Barthel Index, Frenchay Activity Index), hours per day provided for care, caregivers relationship to patient and health status. RESULTS: A total of 134 subjects were assessed prospectively. Mean age of caregivers is 62.9 years. Informal care is mainly provided by spouses (55.8%) and children (34.6%). 12 months after stroke, over one third of caregivers were experiencing considerable burden. Main burden of caregiving out of 15 dimensions (CBS) is reported for 'emotional support' (46.3%), 'dealing with behavioural difficulties' (38.8%) and for 'transport of the patient' (30.6%). Both, the degree of patients' physical disability (p<0.001) and the degree of patients' inactivity in activities of daily living (p<0.01) were significantly associated with a high level of experienced burden. The time of care per day provided by the caregiver is correlated positively with a higher caregiver burden (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Results confirm that caregiver burden of stroke survivors is still an unmet need in terms of public health. Effective preventive and situation-specific strategies should be implemented, based on understanding the reported findings.