Functional Status of Patients on Maintenance Haemodialysis and Burden of Their Caregivers: An Example from a Tertiary Referenz Hospital in Cameroon

Abstract

Background: Patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) often depend on caregivers due functional status impairment (FSI). We evaluated the functional status of patients on MHD and the burden on their caregivers in Douala. Material and methods: A fourth month cross-sectional study including consenting adult patients on MHD in Douala general hospital and their caregivers. Functional status of patients was assessed using the overall functional status scale. A FSI score between 1-5/13 was considered moderate, and severe when above 5/13. Caregiver burden was assessed with the Zarit caregiver burden scale; a score between 21 to 40 was considered light to moderate burden, and severe if >41. Logistic regression was used to look for associated factors to FSI and caregivers burden (p <0.05). Results: In 184 patients, the mean age 47.29 (13.75) years. FSI was moderate in 60.33% (111/184) and severe in 8.69% (16/184). Caregiver burden was light to moderate in 48.91% (90/184), severe in 38.59% (71/184). Factors associated with FSI were: older patients, low patient and caregiver income, diabetes, longer duration on dialysis and being accompanied by his child. Factors associated with caregiver burden were: male gender, patient’s age ≥ 70 years, low patient’s income, inability to do shopping and laundry, age of caregiver ≥ 50 years, and caregiver being a student. Patient functional dependence increased the caregiver’s burden by 3.87 times (p=0.001). Conclusion: FSI and caregiver’s burden were relatively high with many associated factors. The caregiver burden increased with the degree of patient dependence.