Psychological and Emotional Status, and Caregiver Burden in Caregivers of Patients With Peritoneal Dialysis Compared With Caregivers of Patients With Renal Transplantation

Objectives. We sought to examine the relationship between caregivers of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and of renal transplant (Tx) patients with regard to sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and overall burden. Methods. This cross-sectional study of prevalent caregivers of CAPD patients and of renal Tx patients used a multidimensional instrument to assess the association of sleep quality, depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as burden using a Zarit Burden Interview. Among the 113 caregivers who participated in this study, 53 were in the Tx and 60 in the CAPD group. Results. The overall mean age was 40.7 +/- 13.6 years. The proportions of age, gender, income, and education level were similar between the 2 groups. Caregivers of peritoneal dialysis patients had significantly higher rates of anxiety and depression compared with the Tx group (P = .039 and P = .003, respectively). Good sleep quality rates for caregivers of Tx versus CAPD patients were 88.7% (n = 47) and 61.7% (n = 37), respectively. Poor sleep quality was significantly higher among caregivers of CAPD compared with those for Tx patients (P = .001). Caregiver burden scores were significantly higher in caregivers of CAPD patients compared with Tx patients (P < .001). Upon logistic regression analysis, caregivers of CAPD patients were 2.61 times (95% confidence interval, 1.03-6.59; P = .043) higher than the caregiver burden risk than those for Tx patients. Conclusions. This study indirectly indicated that renal Tx improves the life quality and decreases psychiatric symptoms among caregivers of ESRD patients.