Daniëlla M. Oosterveer, Radha Rambaran Mishre, Andrea van Oort, Karin Bodde, Leo A. M. Aerden
Sophia Rehabilitation centre, Delft, The Netherlands
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-1250

Objective: Caregivers play an important role in the well-being of stroke patients, and are known to experience considerable strain 3 months or more after patient discharge. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of caregiver strain early after discharge.
Methods: Six weeks after discharge from the hospital or rehabilitation setting stroke-surviving patients and their caregivers were seen by a specialized nurse. Several screening lists, including the Caregiver Strain Index (CSI), were completed. Step-wise logistic regression was used to analyse which determinants independently contribute to caregiver strain.
Results: A total of 284 stroke-surviving patients were included in the study. Of the 179 caregivers who completed the CSI, 23 (12. 8%) experienced considerable strain. A higher level of anxiety symptoms and lower life satisfaction in patients are independently associated with higher caregiver strain (p = 0. 000007 and p = 0. 0031, respectively).
Conclusion: High strain is experienced by 12. 8% of caregivers shortly after discharge of a stroke-surviving patient. More anxiety symptoms and lower life satisfaction in patients are independently associated with a higher level of strain in caregivers. Treating patient anxiety at an early stage might therefore lead to a decrease in long-term caregiver strain.