Biopsychosocial determinants of quality of life in informal caregivers of stroke survivors.

Introduction: Based on the biopsychosocial health model of the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) the purpose of the study was to investigate whether components of body functions and structures, activities, environmental and personal factors would predict Quality of Life (QoL) for informal caregivers of stroke survivors still in hospitalization period.

Method: This cross-sectional study comprised 50 informal caregivers (43.8 ± 16.2 years). Face-to-face semi-structured interviews based on ICF components were conducted: body functions and structures (pain intensity by Visual Analogue Scale), activities (physical activity level by International Physical Activity Questionnaire, functional mobility by Timed Up and Go Test), environmental (education level) and personal factors (age). QoL was evaluated by Short Form Health Survey-36 including the domains: Physical functioning (PF); role-physical (RP); bodily pain (BP); general health (GH); vitality (VT); social functioning (SF); role-emotional (RE); and mental health (MH). Multiple linear regression was performed to investigate the association between the variables.

Results: The majority were females (70%) married to the patients (36%). Fifty percent reported pain (50%), the most prevalent location was the back (52%) at low intensity (36%). The pain intensity (PF: β -0.44; BP: β -0.43, VT and SF: β -0.36), physical activity level (PF: β 0.32; GH: β 0.41), age (RE: β -0.48), and education level (RE: 0.32) are predictors of the informal caregivers QoL (p ≤ 0.02).

Conclusion: The QoL of informal caregivers of stroke survivors might be determined by multiple health domains. This information must be helpful to guide assertive strategies to minimize the negative impact on QoL of informal caregivers.