ASSESSING THE BURDEN OF CHRONIC HEART FAILURE ON CAREGIVERS OF PATIENTS IN COLOMBIA
Author(s)
Karpf E1, Jackson J2, Cotton S3, Proenca C4, Calado F4, Barbeau M5, MacPherson A6
1Novartis Colombia, Bogota, Colombia, 2Adelphi Group, Bollington, UK, 3Adelphi Real World, Bollington, Macclesfield, UK, 4Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland, 5Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., Dorval, QC, Canada, 6Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
OBJECTIVES: To understand the burden of chronic heart failure (HF) on informal caregivers in Colombia. METHODS: A Disease Specific Program was conducted to assess the impact of chronic HF in Colombia. Caregiver self-completion (CSC) questionnaires were completed by caregivers (n=58) of chronic HF patients. CSC questionnaires focused on the demographics and activities/responsibilities of caregivers, and the emotional and financial burden of caregiving. RESULTS: Based on CSC questionnaires, 80% of caregivers were females, and mean age was 55.1 years. Caregivers spent approximately 47.5 hours per week caring for the patient. Nearly 75% of patients lived with the caregiver, and the main caregiver was often the spouse (59%) or child (27%) of the patient. Caregiver Activities: The most frequently reported activities/tasks were reminding patients to take medication (67%), providing emotional support/encouragement, and driving the patient to work/hospital/appointments (61% each). Caregivers most frequently asked doctors about the best care for patients (67%), diet/lifestyle (56%), and treatment (56%) for the patient. Emotional Burden: Due to caregiving responsibilities, caregivers reported a decrease in social activities (23%), and reported suffering from sleeping problems (22%), depression (16%), and stress (16%). Financial Burden: Only 6% of caregivers reported a reduced income from a change in job or reduction of working hours due to caregiver responsibilities. Only 9% of caregivers reported paying for the patients’ chronic HF prescriptions, and 5% covered some of the cost of rehabilitation. Nearly 65% of caregivers were not financially responsible for any hospitalizations of the chronic HF patient. Travel: On average, caregivers accompanied the patient five times per year to chronic HF appointments, spending a mean of 67.5 minutes travelling to and from the hospital. Of those who reported travel costs (n=39), an average of COL$ 21 was incurred. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that caring for chronic HF patients inflicts a significant burden on informal caregivers in Colombia.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2017-11, ISPOR Europe 2017, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Vol. 20, No. 9 (October 2017)
Code
PCV119
Topic
Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Patient-reported Outcomes & Quality of Life Outcomes
Disease
Cardiovascular Disorders