Rongzhi Zhang, Xiaohui Cui, Haiying Zhuang, Wenjun Xie, Lujie lv, Yang Liu and Feng Zheng
Caregiving by family members is an invaluable and essential support for chronic ill patients. However, physical and psychological stress associated with long-term caregiving may also affect the well-being and life quality of caregivers. Herein we assessed the burden for caring patients on maintenance hemodialysis by primary family caregivers. 151 patients and their 151 primary family caregivers were recruited. Patients were on hemodialysis for an average of 3.56 years. Self-perceived Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale and WHO-5 well-being index were measured in caregivers. Caregiving related physical and emotional distress was present in 115 out of 151 caregivers. Social and demographic factors including age, educational levels, caring hours and relationship with patients were correlated with the severity of burden. Additionally, caring for patients with diabetes, multiple comorbidities, lower income and higher medical expense increased the burden for caregivers. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that caregiver burden was commonly present in family caregivers of patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Several social and demographic factors in caregivers and patients contributed to caregiver burden.