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COVID-19-related anxiety and obsession levels in stroke patients and family caregivers and their effects on caregiver burden

COVID-19-bedingte Level von Angst und Zwangsgedanken bei Schlaganfallpatienten und pflegenden Angehörigen und ihre Auswirkungen auf die Belastung der Pflegekräfte

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Summary

Purpose

The aim of this study is to describe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related dysfunctional anxiety and thinking in patients with stroke and caregivers who are family members and their effects on caregiver burden.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 79 stroke patients and their primary caregivers who were hospitalised in a tertiary rehabilitation hospital. Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) and Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS) were used to assess the levels of COVID-19-related dysfunctional anxiety and obsession of the patients and their caregivers. Caregiver burden was assessed via the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI).

Results

In the patients with stroke, COVID-19-related anxiety and COVID-19-related obsession rates were 13.9% (n = 11) and 7.6% (n = 6), respectively, while 17.7% (n = 14) of caregiver family members had COVID-19-related anxiety and 11.4% (n = 9) had COVID-19-related obsession. The CAS score of caregivers showed a significant positive correlation with the CAS and OCS scores of patients (p = 0.000, r = 0.423; p = 0.007, r = 0.300, respectively). The OCS score of caregivers showed a significant positive correlation with the OCS scores of the patients (p = 0.000, r = 0.476). The mean ZBI score of caregiver family members was 31.9 ± 13.5. A significant positive correlation was observed between the caregiver’s OCS and CAS scores and ZBI scores (p = 0.002, r = −0.349; p = 0.004, r = 0.323, respectively).

Conclusion

In this study, a significant relationship between caregiver burden and COVID-19-related anxiety and obsession in the caregivers of stroke patients was identified. Therefore, caregivers of stroke patients should not be forgotten during pandemics and should receive physical and psychological support.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund

Das Ziel dieser Studie ist es, die durch COVID-19 bedingte dysfunktionale Angst und das Denken bei Patienten mit Schlaganfall und pflegenden Familienmitgliedern zu beschreiben sowie deren Auswirkungen auf die Belastung der Pflegenden.

Methoden

Diese Querschnittstudie umfasste 79 Schlaganfallpatienten und ihre primären Pflegenden, die in einem tertiären Rehabilitationskrankenhaus hospitalisiert waren. Die Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) und die Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS) wurden verwendet, um die Level der durch COVID-19 bedingten dysfunktionalen Angst und Zwangsgedanken bei den Patienten und ihren Pflegenden zu bewerten. Die Belastung der Pflegenden wurde durch das Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) beurteilt.

Ergebnisse

Bei den Patienten mit Schlaganfall betrug die Rate der COVID-19-bedingten Angst 13,9 % (n = 11) und die Rate der COVID-19-bedingten Zwangsgedanken 7,6 % (n = 6). 17,7 % (n = 14) der pflegenden Angehörigen hatten COVID-19-bedingte Angst und 11,4 % (n = 9) hatten COVID-19-bedingte Zwangsgedanken. Der CAS-Score der Pflegenden zeigte eine signifikante positive Korrelation mit den CAS- und OCS-Scores der Patienten (p = 0,000, r = 0,423; p = 0,007, r = 0,300). Der OCS-Score der Pflegenden zeigte eine signifikante positive Korrelation mit den OCS-Scores der Patienten (p = 0,000, r = 0,476). Der durchschnittliche ZBI-Score der pflegenden Angehörigen betrug 31,9 + 13,5. Es wurde eine signifikante positive Korrelation zwischen den OCS- und CAS-Scores der Pflegenden und den ZBI-Scores festgestellt (p = 0,002, r = −0,349; p = 0,004, r = 0,323).

Schlussfolgerung

In dieser Studie wurde eine signifikante Beziehung zwischen der Belastung der Pflegenden und der COVID-19-bedingten Angst und Zwangsgedanken bei den Pflegenden von Schlaganfallpatienten festgestellt. Daher sollten die Pflegenden von Schlaganfallpatienten während Pandemien nicht vergessen werden und physische und psychologische Unterstützung erhalten.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istanbul Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    Yelda Soluk Özdemir MD,  Nurdan Paker MD, Nazlı Şişmanoğlu Ataç MD,  Derya Buğdaycı MD &  Kadriye Öneş MD

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  1. Yelda Soluk Özdemir MD
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Correspondence to Yelda Soluk Özdemir MD.

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Y. Soluk Özdemir, N. Paker, N. Şişmanoğlu Ataç, D. Buğdaycı and K. Öneş declare that they have no competing interests.

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Soluk Özdemir, Y., Paker, N., Şişmanoğlu Ataç, N. et al. COVID-19-related anxiety and obsession levels in stroke patients and family caregivers and their effects on caregiver burden. Neuropsychiatr 38, 24–31 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40211-024-00490-7

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