Psychological and emotional status, and caregiver burden in caregivers of patients with peritoneal dialysis compared with caregivers of patients with renal transplantation

Abstract

Objectives: We sought to examine the relationship between caregivers of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and of renal transplant (Tx) patients with regard to sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and overall burden.

Methods: This cross-sectional study of prevalent caregivers of CAPD patients and of renal Tx patients used a multidimensional instrument to assess the association of sleep quality, depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as burden using a Zarit Burden Interview. Among the 113 caregivers who participated in this study, 53 were in the Tx and 60 in the CAPD group.

Results: The overall mean age was 40.7 ± 13.6 years. The proportions of age, gender, income, and education level were similar between the 2 groups. Caregivers of peritoneal dialysis patients had significantly higher rates of anxiety and depression compared with the Tx group (P = .039 and P = .003, respectively). Good sleep quality rates for caregivers of Tx versus CAPD patients were 88.7% (n = 47) and 61.7% (n = 37), respectively. Poor sleep quality was significantly higher among caregivers of CAPD compared with those for Tx patients (P = .001). Caregiver burden scores were significantly higher in caregivers of CAPD patients compared with Tx patients (P < .001). Upon logistic regression analysis, caregivers of CAPD patients were 2.61 times (95% confidence interval, 1.03-6.59; P = .043) higher than the caregiver burden risk than those for Tx patients.

Conclusions: This study indirectly indicated that renal Tx improves the life quality and decreases psychiatric symptoms among caregivers of ESRD patients.