Factores asociados a la sobrecarga del cuidador en cuidadores primarios de personas adultas mayores con diabetes tipo 2

Objective

To characterize the profile of the informal primary caregiver (IPC) of adult patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and the possible factors associated with caregiver collapse (CC).

Design

Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional and analytical study.

Site

Ambulatory Care Medical Unit.

Participants

Mexican CPIs of adult patients with T2D.

Main measurements

Data were collected through a prolective design using the Zarit scale and a structured survey on sociodemographic factors. A descriptive statistical analysis and univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were performed.

Results

The CPI profile is assumed by: women, people aged 36-58, daughters, people with a secondary and high school educational level, married, Catholic, with income < 8,900 Mexican pesos, own home, inhabited by a maximum of 5 inhabitants, with support networks, who have dedicated > 5 years to the care of their patient, without training and with chronic diseases. The risk factors that increase the risk of CC are: being a woman (OR = 11.03; 95% CI: 1.49-81.95), having a history of more than 5 years of having assumed the role of caregiver (OR = 2, 65; 95% CI: 1.07-6.55), living in one's own house (OR = 3.03; 95% CI: 1.04-8.82), with 6 or more inhabitants (OR = 2.41; 95% CI: 1.08-5.38). The support of other family members and/or friends was associated as a protective factor (OR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.07-0.33).

Conclusions

Prevention programs are required to avoid CC and complications, as well as interventions to improve the quality of life of the CPI and patients in care, incorporating strategies to generate and/or increase their family and social support networks.