DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG INFORMAL CAREGIVERS OF PATIENTS WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE IN GREECE
Author(s)
Angeliki Glava, MSc1, Magda Chatzikou, PhD2.
1National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece, 2Pharmecons Easy Access, York, United Kingdom.
1National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece, 2Pharmecons Easy Access, York, United Kingdom.
OBJECTIVES: Alzheimer's disease (AD) imposes a substantial clinical, social, and economic burden, affecting not only patients but also their informal caregivers. Evidence on caregivers' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Greece remains limited. This study assessed HRQoL among informal caregivers of patients with AD in Greece and identified factors associated with lower HRQoL.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among informal caregivers of patients with AD in Greece. Participants were recruited through caregiver-focused social media groups and completed an online survey including demographic, socioeconomic, and caregiving-related characteristics, as well as the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and correlation analyses were performed. Variables considered clinically relevant and associated with HRQoL in univariate analyses were included in a multivariable linear regression model with robust standard errors. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
RESULTS: A total of 102 caregivers participated. Mean EQ-5D-5L index and EQ-VAS scores were 0.68 (SD=0.29) and 68.89 (SD=20.58), respectively. Overall, 45.1% reported receiving assistance from a paid caregiver and 53.9% reported that the patient’s income was insufficient to meet financial needs. In univariate analyses, female sex, cohabitation with the patient, caregiver relationship, caregiving support, and financial status were significantly associated with HRQoL. In multivariable analysis, poorer financial status was independently associated with lower HRQoL (β=-0.148; p=0.004). Being a spousal caregiver was independently associated with lower HRQoL compared with being the patient's child (β=-0.273; p=0.024). Age and cohabitation with the patient were not independently associated with HRQoL.
CONCLUSIONS: Informal caregivers of patients with AD experience substantial HRQoL burden. Poor financial status and being a spousal caregiver were independently associated with lower HRQoL. Targeted support interventions for vulnerable caregiver groups should be considered in AD-related healthcare planning and policy development.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among informal caregivers of patients with AD in Greece. Participants were recruited through caregiver-focused social media groups and completed an online survey including demographic, socioeconomic, and caregiving-related characteristics, as well as the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and correlation analyses were performed. Variables considered clinically relevant and associated with HRQoL in univariate analyses were included in a multivariable linear regression model with robust standard errors. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
RESULTS: A total of 102 caregivers participated. Mean EQ-5D-5L index and EQ-VAS scores were 0.68 (SD=0.29) and 68.89 (SD=20.58), respectively. Overall, 45.1% reported receiving assistance from a paid caregiver and 53.9% reported that the patient’s income was insufficient to meet financial needs. In univariate analyses, female sex, cohabitation with the patient, caregiver relationship, caregiving support, and financial status were significantly associated with HRQoL. In multivariable analysis, poorer financial status was independently associated with lower HRQoL (β=-0.148; p=0.004). Being a spousal caregiver was independently associated with lower HRQoL compared with being the patient's child (β=-0.273; p=0.024). Age and cohabitation with the patient were not independently associated with HRQoL.
CONCLUSIONS: Informal caregivers of patients with AD experience substantial HRQoL burden. Poor financial status and being a spousal caregiver were independently associated with lower HRQoL. Targeted support interventions for vulnerable caregiver groups should be considered in AD-related healthcare planning and policy development.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
PCR236
Topic
Clinical Outcomes, Epidemiology & Public Health, Patient-Centered Research
Disease
Geriatrics, Neurological Disorders