Quality of Life, Anxiety, Depression and Burden among Stroke Caregivers: a longitudinal, observational multicentre study

Aim. To longitudinally describe stroke caregivers’ quality of life, anxiety, depression and burden and to identify predictors of stroke caregivers’ quality of life, anxiety, depression and burden. Background. Caregivers have a key role in stroke survivor care and the first year of caregiving is the most challenging. To provide tailored interventions, it is important to capture changes and identify predictors of caregiver quality of life, anxiety, depression and burden during the first year. Design. A 12-months longitudinal study. Data were collected between June 2013 - May 2016. Methods. Changes in stroke caregiver quality of life, anxiety and depression and burden as well as their predictors were identified using linear mixed-effects models. Results. The caregivers (N=244) were 53 years old and mostly female. Caregiver quality of life did not change significantly over the 12 months, anxiety and depression decreased up to 9 months and caregiver burden decreased from baseline to 3 months, then increased up to 9 months. Higher caregiver quality of life was predicted by caregiver younger age, higher education, living with a stroke survivor, survivor older age and higher physical functioning; higher anxiety and depression were predicted by older caregiver age and younger survivor age; higher burden was predicted by caregiver male gender, the caregiver not living with survivor and survivor lower physical functioning. Conclusion. The first 9 months of caregiving are particularly problematic for caregivers. The trajectories of the above variables and their predictors may be useful for policy makers, clinicians, investigators and educators to provide better care to stroke caregivers and their survivors.