Exploration on Quality of Life of Caregivers of Patients With Bipolar Affective Disorder

OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to assess the quality of life of caregivers of patients undergoing treatment for bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) and to identify the factors associated with their quality of life.

METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study of seven months duration was carried out among 64 subjects, satisfying the inclusion criteria. The socio-demographic details and other relevant information pertaining to the subjects were collected in a well-designed data collection form. The quality of life of the caregivers was assessed by using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Independent t-test and ANOVA were used to analyse the difference in the mean scores of domains of quality of life. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with the domains of quality of life.

RESULTS: Among the 64 subjects enrolled in the present study, the mean score of the physical, psychological, social and environmental domains were 55.84 ± 16.60, 49.89 ± 18.31, 57.84 ± 18.74 and 51.97 ± 17.26 respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between mean physical domain scores of age-groups, domiciliary status as well as relationship of subject to the patient. The mean psychological domain score however demonstrated a statistically significant difference between gender, age-group, domiciliary status, marital status, educational qualification, socio-economic status and relationship of subject to the patient. Social domain significantly varied between the gender, marital status and relationship of subject to the patient whereas the environmental domain score significantly differed between gender, age-group, domiciliary status, marital status and socio-economic status.

CONCLUSIONS: The current research would offer healthcare professionals with valuable insights into the importance of addressing the health-related quality of life for all caregivers of patients with BPAD.