The Relationship between Health-Related Quality of Life and Burden among Family Caregivers of Elderly Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and burden among family caregivers of elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis, in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational designs were used. A structured interviewing questionnaire was used to recruit 50 caregivers randomly. Pearson correlation was used to correlate between socio-demographic data, HRQOL, and burden degree. Ethical approval was assured.

Results: A statistically significant negative association between the degree of burden and HRQOL among family caregivers was found. There was a significant positive association between burden degree and the caregivers’ age, marital status, the duration of caregiving and care of recipient’s age, physical function, physical health problems, and emotional problems. Meanwhile, there was a negative association between burden degree and level of education, general health perception, emotional well-being, vitality, and social functioning.

Conclusion: When the nurses understand the relationship between burden of care experience among the caregivers and HRQOL that lead them to intervene effectively with a multi-disciplinary team to support caregivers for minimizing the level of burden and avoid burnout.