A comparative study of caregivers’ perceptions of health-care needs and burden of patients with
bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia
Sammanfattning
Background: Although many studies in schizophrenia have evaluated health-care needs, there is
a lack of data on the needs of patients with bipolar affective disorder (BPAD), with only occasional
studies evaluating them, and no study has evaluated the relationship of health-care needs of patients
with caregiver's burden. Aim: To study the relationship of caregiver's burden and needs of patients
as perceived by caregivers of patients with BPAD and schizophrenia. Method: Caregivers of patients
with BPAD and schizophrenia were assessed using the Camberwell Assessment of Needs -
Research version (CAN-R) and Supplementary Needs Assessment Scale (SNAS), the Family Burden
Interview schedule (FBI) and the Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire (IEQ). Results: Mean total
needs of patients on CAN-R were 7.54 (SD 3.59) and 7.58 (SD 4.24) for BPAD and schizophrenia
respectively. Mean total needs for SNAS were 7.24 (SD 3.67) and 7.68 (SD 5.02) for BPAD and
schizophrenia groups, respectively. Total objective and subjective burden as assessed on FBI was
significantly more for the schizophrenia group. Caregivers of patients with BPAD perceived
significantly less disruption of routine family activities and lower impact on the mental health of
others. On IEQ, the mean score on the domain of supervision was significantly higher for the BPAD
group. In the schizophrenia group, positive correlations were seen between the total number of unmet
and total (met and unmet) needs and certain aspects of burden, but no such correlations emerged in
the BPAD group. Conclusion: There is no correlation between number of needs and burden in the
BPAD group; however, in the schizophrenia group the number of needs correlated with the perceived
burden. Accordingly, orienting services to address needs of patients with schizophrenia can lead to
reduction in burden among caregivers.