[Correlates of Quality of Life in Caregivers of Patients with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Affective Disorder: A Study From Southwestern Nigeria].

Abstract

Objective: Quality of life and its correlates were studied in two groups of family caregivers of patients with major mental disorders-Schizophrenia (SZ) and Bipolar Affective Disorder (BPAD).

Method: Family caregivers of SZ and BPAD patients were consecutively recruited to the study (n=100 for each group). Caregivers were screened for quality of life (QOL) measures, caregiver burden, symptoms of anxiety and depression, using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF), the Pai and Kapur Family Burden Interview Schedule (FBIS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Inventory (HADS) respectively.

Results: When compared to the caregivers of the BPAD patients, the caregivers of the SZ patients had lower QOL scores in two out of the 4 WHOQOL-BREF domains (physical and psychological domains) (p=0.001), and higher overall total caregiver burden (p=0.001). On the other hand, caregivers of the BPAD patients had higher levels of depressive symptoms (p=0.001). Increased depressive symptoms were associated with lower QOL for both groups, comprising all WHOQOLBREF domains for BPAD and 3 domains for SZ caregivers. Higher caregiver burden was associated with lower QOL for both groups.

Conclusion: There is a need for intervention and caregiver support for the relatives of patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.