[Burden on the caregiver of people with disabilities secondary to neurological damage. A multicenter study in Argentina].

INTRODUCTION

Caregiver burden encompasses the physical, financial, and psychosocial impact of caring for a person, constituting a risk factor for the deterioration of the caregiver's health and quality of life. The primary objective was to quantify caregiver burden in primary caregivers of individuals with disabilities secondary to neurological damage in four healthcare centers in Argentina. The secondary objective was to explore its association with the duration of disability, level of functional independence, hours of care, and the caregiver's gender.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This was a multicenter, prospective, cross-sectional, observational study conducted between March and September 2025. Caregivers with at least three months of continuous caregiving were included. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected from both the caregiver and the patient. Caregiver burden was assessed using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Multiple regression models were applied to identify predictors of the ZBI score.

RESULTS

116 caregivers participated (77% women, mean age 54 years). Seventy-two percent of patients presented with caregiver burden (50% severe; 22% mild). The patients were mostly men with stroke, Parkinson's disease, or traumatic brain injury, with a mean duration of two years. None of the independent variables showed a statistically significant association with the ZBI score.

CONCLUSION

A high prevalence of caregiver burden was detected, without identifying statistically significant predictors, highlighting the impact of caring for a family member with a disability. The predominance of female caregivers underscores the central role of women in caregiving. These findings highlight the need to integrate caregiver-focused interventions into neuro-rehabilitation programs.