Assessment of the Quality of Life of Multiple Sclerosis Patients' Caregivers in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has been found to impact the quality of life of caregivers. Although many studies have assessed the quality of life of MS caregivers worldwide, no such studies have been conducted in Saudi Arabia. In this study, we aim to assess the quality of life of MS patients' caregivers in Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study included caregivers of MS patients (for >1 year) who visited the neurology clinic at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between July 2017 and December 2018. The study utilized the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) to assess the burden on MS patients' caregiver. In addition, their demographic profile was collected, and certain information regarding the patient was also collected through an oral interview. There were a total of 219 respondents, of which 117 (53.4%) male caregivers. For ZBI, the majority of caregivers reported little or no burden (57.1%), followed by mild to moderate burden (30.1%), then moderate to severe burden (10.5%), and only 5 (2.3%) reported severe burden. Our results showed limited impact of MS on the quality of life of caregivers of MS patients. We stress on the importance of routine assessment of the quality of life in MS patients and caregivers as routine practice with the other important measures. The finding of this study will help in encouraging medical centers to establish more specialized MS clinics that put into consideration the psychological factors.