Fatores associados ao comprometimento da qualidade de vida dos cuidadores familiares de pessoas idosas com Demência

Abstract

Aging is a complex biological process, which brings with it an increased risk of chronic diseases and geriatric syndromes, which can affect the quality of life of elderly people and their family caregivers. Among the conditions that affect elderly people are dementia syndromes. Informal caregivers, almost always family members, play a vital role in supporting people with dementia, facing significant emotional burden and challenges to their own quality of life. This study aims to analyze the factors associated with compromising the quality of life of family caregivers of elderly people with dementia in the north of Minas Gerais. This is a cross-sectional and analytical study carried out at the Centro Mais Vida Eny Faria de Oliveira, which operates as a Reference Center for Health Care for the Elderly in Montes Claros, in the north of Minas Gerais. This health unit is a reference for frail elderly people throughout the region. Data collection was carried out from August to December 2019 by a team of nurses and specially trained undergraduate students through meetings with the research coordinators and a pilot project aimed at training the team to apply the questionnaire. Demographic and socioeconomic variables related to the act of caring and clinical/self-care conditions were assessed using a structured questionnaire specially developed by the group of researchers. Quality of life was measured using the 12- Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). Pearson's chi-square test was used for bivariate analyses for the two components of the scale separately, and then binary logistic regression analysis was performed, including all variables with a discriminatory level of up to 20% (p<0.20) in a hierarchical analysis. For the final model, only variables associated up to the 5% level (p=0.05) were maintained. A total of 436 caregivers participated in this study. Of these, 88.1% were women, with a mean age of 47.3 years. The prevalence of impaired quality of life was 25% in both components (physical/mental). The following conditions were associated with impaired quality of life in the physical component: caregivers who were ≥60 years old (OR=2.48), female (OR=2.81), overweight (OR=2.13), obesity (OR=2.22), negative self-perception of health (OR=2.55), low quality of general health (OR=2.10) and insomnia (OR=2.72). Regarding the mental component, the impairment of quality of life was associated with caregivers with another occupation in addition to caring (OR=1.78), longer time caring for the elderly (OR=1.89), negative self-perception of health (OR=3.38), low quality of general health (OR=2.15) and depression (OR=2.51). A significant impairment of quality of life was recorded for the group evaluated, which was associated with mostly modifiable variables. The results show that it is urgent to develop public policies that can provide physical and mental support to caregivers of elderly people, taking into account their sociodemographic and economic characteristics, as well as their health conditions and self-care practices.