Caregiver Burden and Depressive Symptoms Among Caregivers of Patients Receiving Home Healthcare for Pressure Ulcers

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between depressive symptoms and caregiver burden among caregivers of patients with PUs (pressure ulcers) and to identify factors associated with these outcomes.
METHODS: This single-center, cross-sectional study included 106 caregivers of patients with PUs. Caregiver burden and depressive symptoms were assessed using the ZBI (Zarit Burden Interview) and BDI (Beck Depression Inventory). Associations were examined using nonparametric tests, correlation analysis, and robust regression models because the outcome variables were not normally distributed.
RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 51.91 ± 11.55 years, and most were female. The median ZBI score was 22.5, and the median BDI score was 7. Caregiver burden and depressive symptom scores were positively correlated (Spearman’s rho=0.614, p<0.001). Higher scores were observed among unemployed caregivers (p=0.005 and p<0.001, respectively), those with insufficient income (p=0.014 and p<0.001, respectively), and those providing regular continuous care (p<0.001 and p=0.010, respectively). Scores were also higher among caregivers of patients with advanced-stage PUs and wound-related hospitalization. Higher caregiver burden was additionally associated with sole caregiving and larger wounds. In multivariable analyses, depressive symptoms were independently associated with caregiver burden and unemployment, whereas caregiver burden was associated with regular continuous caregiving, caregiving duration of 1–5 years, and larger wound size.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Caregiver burden and depressive symptoms were closely related among caregivers of patients with PUs. Intensive caregiving, unemployment, and wound severity were associated with poorer caregiver outcomes.

Keywords: Caregivers, depression, pressure ulcer, primary health care