Spousal caregiver burden among patient with cognitive impairment: effects on nutrition and other lifestyle factors

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundAmong old adults, caring for a spouse with cognitive decline is well‐known to be associated with significant risk to the caregiver`s health such as cardiovascular disease, depression and, especially, cognitive impairment. It is important to understand the caregiving‐related risk factors for caregiver`s cognitive decline. Therefore, in this study, we examined the impact of caregiver`s burden on the lifestyle factors (malnutrition, sleep, depression, and physical activity) influencing cognitive decline among SCGs, focusing on nutritional status which contribute to SCG’s cognitive decline.MethodFrom May 2020 to May 2021, clinical evaluation and blood tests were conducted for patients who visited Chungnam National University Hospital Geriatric Neuropsychiatric Clinic with their spouse. A total of 51 subjects were included in the analysis. As clinical assessment, we evaluated the care burden (Zait burden interview), depression(Geriatric‐Depression‐Scale), sleep quality (Pittsburgh‐Sleep‐Quality‐Index), cognitive function(Mini‐Mental‐state‐exmination) physical activity(International‐Physical‐Activity‐Questionnaire), and dietary habits (Mini‐Nutrional‐Assessment).ResultAs the care‐recipient’s cognitive function declined, the caregiver`s burden were increased (β = ‐0.66, p < 0.001). In linear regression analysis adjusted for age and sex, the SCG`s burden was significantly associated with the worse dietary habits (β = ‐3.194, p = 0.003) and increased level of depressed mood (β = 0.525, p < 0.001). The SCG`s burden showed a trend level association with sleep quality (β = 0.292, p = 0.050) but no significant relationship with physical activity (β = ‐0.053, p = 0.742). The results were unchanged after excluding care‐recipients with normal cognition (n = 7).ConclusionThis study provides substantial evidence that SCGs are at risk for depression and malnutrition, which can further affect cognitive decline. As such, these factors should be well assessed and monitored among SCGs for patient with cognitive impairment.