Abstract Details

Title Exploring the Relationship Between Caregiver Burden and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Dementia: A Meta-Regression Analysis

Topic Aging, Dementia, and Behavioral Neurology

Presentation(s) P2 - Poster Session 2 (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 3-015

Objective To examine the relationship between caregiver burden (Zarit Burden Interview, ZBI), caregiver distress (Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Distress, NPI-D), and neuropsychiatric symptoms (Neuropsychiatric Inventory, NPI total) in dementia patients.

Background Managing neuropsychiatric symptoms is crucial for dementia patients, as these symptoms significantly impact both patients and their caregivers. The NPI-D measures the distress caregivers experience due to patients’ neuropsychiatric symptoms, while the ZBI assesses the overall burden on caregivers. Understanding the relationship between caregiver burden, caregiver distress, and the severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms can guide interventions aimed at improving the well-being of both caregivers and patients.

Design/Methods Meta-regressions were conducted using data from five studies reporting NPI-D scores and seven reporting ZBI scores. Single-arm meta-analyses for NPI-D, NPI total, and ZBI scores were performed using a random-effects model. A meta-regression was conducted to examine the association between NPI-D scores and NPI total scores.

Results

The random-effects model estimated a mean ZBI score of 23.76 [95% CI: 14.32 to 33.20, I² = 100%, p = 0]. NPI-D scores had a mean of 10.09 [95% CI: 6.56 to 13.63, I² = 96%, p < 0.01], and the mean NPI total score was 21.84 [95% CI: 19.31 to 24.38, I² = 95%, p < 0.01]. The meta-regression between NPI-D Mean and NPI total showed a statistically significant relationship, with a coefficient of 1.32 [95% CI: 0.97 to 1.68, p = 0.000], indicating a strong association between caregiver distress and neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Conclusions Single-arm studies suggest a positive relationship between neuropsychiatric symptoms and caregiver burden. The meta-regression analysis between NPI-D and NPI total demonstrates a significant link between caregiver distress and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Future studies should focus on developing more precise tools that capture caregivers’ daily experiences and challenges to better understand the factors contributing to caregiver burden.

Authors/Disclosures
Marianna Leite PRESENTER	Miss Leite has nothing to disclose.
Ana P. Cortines, Medical Student	Mrs. Cortines has nothing to disclose.
LEONARDO S. SOUZA, Sr., MD	Mr. SOUZA has nothing to disclose.
Luisa Calazans, MS	Miss Calazans has nothing to disclose.
Carolina B. Moura, MD (Hospital Universitário Antonio Pedro)	Dr. Moura has nothing to disclose.
Raquel Q. da Costa, MD, PhD	Prof. da Costa has nothing to disclose.

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