A cross-sectional study: caregiver burden and related determinants of adult patients with β-thalassemia major in mainland China

• DOI: 10.1186/s12912-024-01826-y
• Publication Date: 2024-03-04T09:02:45Z
• Authors: Runqi Zhang; Shuo Zhang; Jing Ming; Jing Xie; Baoguo Liu; Weihang Jiang; Yingjie Fu; Xuemei Zhen; Xiaojie Sun
• Keywords: Cross-sectional study; Caregiver Burden

Abstract Background The informal caregivers of adult patients with β-thalassemia major (β-TM) bear not only physical but also emotional and economic pressures providing care. This study is the first to evaluate caregiver burden by Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) β-TM in mainland China identify predictors burden. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we conducted an online survey snowball sampling covering seven provinces between September 1, 2021, January 31, 2022, aged ≥ 18 years their caregivers. Caregiver was assessed using ZBI. Data on patient demographics, disease therapy characteristics, caregivers’ demographic characteristics were collected analysed independent t-tests, analysis variance, Spearman’s correlation multiple linear regression. Results Of 75 included patients, more than half (50.7%) male. mean age 24.69 ± 5.59 years. 50.60 9.16 years, women (74.7%) being predominant. ZBI score 38.00 17.02. Multiple regression showed that interrupted blood transfusion required care others positively associated ( p < 0.05). Age borderline significant 0.1). Married negatively Conclusions experienced a moderate-to-severe level caregiving higher history or who older needed for others. Additionally, married lower burdens compared non-married These findings provide reference among β-TM.