This is a preprint, a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Original research
Tessel Zaalberg
Department of Emergency Medicine, VieCuri Medical Center, Venlo, The Netherlands.
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8947-8304
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
BACKGROUND
The number of older individuals that live independently at home is rising. These older individuals often rely on caregivers who typically have a similar age and health status. Therefore, caregivers may experience a high burden. We determined the prevalence and risk factors of burden among caregivers of older patients in the emergency department (ED).
Methods
a prospective observational cohort study of primary caregivers of patients aged ≥ 70 years visiting the ED of a Dutch teaching hospital. Structured interviews were conducted with patients and their caregivers. Caregiver burden was measured using the caregiver strain index (CSI). Additionally, data from medical records were extracted to determine potential risk factors. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to identify independent determinants for burden.
RESULTS
A primary caregiver was reported by 200 of 628 included ED patients. The mean age of patients with a caregiver was 82 (SD 6.7) years and the mean age of the caregivers was 66 (SD 12.4) years. Seventy-eight caregivers (39%) experienced a high burden. Multivariate analysis showed a significant association between high caregiver burden and patients with cognitive impairment or dependency for instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and more self-reported hours of care per day.
CONCLUSION
Almost 40% of older patients in the ED have a caregiver who experiences a high burden. Formal assessment in the ED may help provide adequate care to the patients and their caregivers.
Keywords
Emergency department, geriatric emergency medicine, caregiver burden, caregiver strain index
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This is a preprint, a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Original research
Tessel Zaalberg
Department of Emergency Medicine, VieCuri Medical Center, Venlo, The Netherlands.
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8947-8304
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
History
CURRENT STATUS: Posted
Version 1
Posted 17 Aug, 2020
No community comments so far
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Critical Care & Emergency Medicine
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
BACKGROUND
The number of older individuals that live independently at home is rising. These older individuals often rely on caregivers who typically have a similar age and health status. Therefore, caregivers may experience a high burden. We determined the prevalence and risk factors of burden among caregivers of older patients in the emergency department (ED).
Methods
a prospective observational cohort study of primary caregivers of patients aged ≥ 70 years visiting the ED of a Dutch teaching hospital. Structured interviews were conducted with patients and their caregivers. Caregiver burden was measured using the caregiver strain index (CSI). Additionally, data from medical records were extracted to determine potential risk factors. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to identify independent determinants for burden.
RESULTS
A primary caregiver was reported by 200 of 628 included ED patients. The mean age of patients with a caregiver was 82 (SD 6.7) years and the mean age of the caregivers was 66 (SD 12.4) years. Seventy-eight caregivers (39%) experienced a high burden. Multivariate analysis showed a significant association between high caregiver burden and patients with cognitive impairment or dependency for instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and more self-reported hours of care per day.
CONCLUSION
Almost 40% of older patients in the ED have a caregiver who experiences a high burden. Formal assessment in the ED may help provide adequate care to the patients and their caregivers.
Figure 1
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