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Caregivers’ burden in patients with COPD
Authors Miravitlles M, Peña-Longobardo LM, Oliva-Moreno J, Hidalgo-Vega A
Received 20 October 2014
Accepted for publication 26 December 2014
Published 12 February 2015 Volume 2015:10(1) Pages 347—356
DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/COPD.S76091
Checked for plagiarism Yes
Review by Single-blind
Peer reviewer comments 3
Editor who approved publication: Dr Richard Russell
Marc Miravitlles,1 Luz María Peña-Longobardo,2 Juan Oliva-Moreno,2 Álvaro Hidalgo-Vega2
1Pneumology Department, University Hospital Vall d’Hebron, Ciber of Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Barcelona, Spain; 2Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a very prevalent and invalidating disease. The aim of this study was to analyze the burden borne by informal caregivers of patients with COPD.
Methods: We used the Survey on Disabilities, Personal Autonomy, and Dependency Situations (Encuesta sobre Discapacidad, Autonomía personal y Situaciones de Dependencia [EDAD]-2008) to obtain information on the characteristics of disabled individuals with COPD and their caregivers in Spain. Additionally, statistical multivariate analyses were performed to analyze the impact that an increase in dependence would have on the problems for which caregivers provide support, in terms of health, professional, and leisure/social dimensions.
Results: A total of 461,884 individuals with one or more disabilities and with COPD were identified, and 220,892 informal caregivers were estimated. Results showed that 35% of informal caregivers had health-related problems due to the caregiving provided; 83% had leisure/social-related problems; and among caregivers of working age, 38% recognized having profession-related problems. The probability of a problem arising was significantly associated with the degree of dependence of the patient receiving care. Caregivers of patients with great dependence showed a 39% higher probability of presenting health-related problems, 27% more professional problems, and 23% more leisure problems compared with those with nondependent patients.
Conclusion: The results show the large impact on society in terms of the welfare of informal caregivers of patients with COPD. A higher level of dependence was associated with more severe problems in caregivers, in all dimensions.
Keyword: informal care, chronic care, disease burden
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