Assessment of burden in caregivers of patients with chronic schizophrenia: Who attend the tertiary care center
Journal Title: The Journal of Medical Research - Year 2018, Vol 4, Issue 6
Abstract
Background: Schizophrenia a chronic, debilitating illness affecting entire family in addition to the sufferer. The family is a major source of support for the mentally ill in India where caregivers assume significant role. The pressure of care giving adds to significant stress in the care giver. Seeking out causes of care giver burden will help plan its alleviation. Methods: Eighty-four people with schizophrenia and their primary care givers were part of the study. Schizophrenia was diagnosed using DSM 5 criteria. Positive and negative symptoms were measured by the “Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia” (PANSS), Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Scale was used to assess the severity and improvement rate, and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) assessed the clinical progress. Care givers were administered Zarit Care Giver Burden scale. Results: More caregiver burden was reported with male patients. Educational level of patients did not influence burden score. Severity of burden increased as the severity of illness increased and functioning level of patients declined. Improvement with treatment reduced burden of caregivers. Among factors related to care givers, burden increased linearly with increasing age of the care givers. Care givers who suffered from co morbid medical illnesses reported significantly higher levels of burden. Conclusion: Care giver burden is an important issue to be considered in the overall management plan of schizophrenia. Care givers need better support for their own physical and mental well-being, to reduce symptoms and improve functioning level of schizophrenia patients.
Authors and Affiliations
Srikanth D Madivalkar, Saikrishnan Popuri, SP Chaukimath
Keywords
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- EP ID EP532843
- DOI 10.31254/jmr.2018.4603
- Views 106
- Downloads 0
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