BURNOUT AMONG INFORMAL CAREGIVERS OF DEMENTIA AND ALZHEIMER’S PATIENTS: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Background: The increasing prevalence of patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease has increased demands for informal caregivers. Due to emotional and physical strain of informal caregivers of patients with neurodegenerative diseases there is a high risk of caregivers being exposed to burnout syndrome. This systematic review aims to combine a current knowledge on prevalence and risk factors of burnout syndrome among informal caregivers of demented patients. Methods: This is a systematic review which was conducted using search of three electronic databases: PubMed; Cochrane Library and Web Of Science, from 1993 to 2024. There was a focus on studies quantitatively measuring burnout in informal caregivers of individuals with both dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Results: This review included twelve studies conducted in 9 different countries across 5 continents. Four of the studies used the Pines Burnout Measure and five studies used Maslach Burnout Inventory to assess burnout. According to findings of this review, anxiety, depressive symptoms, low quality of life, being a female caregiver, initially poor health of caregiver, lack of positive attitude towards caregiving can bring informal caregivers towards burnout. Conclusion: Specific target interventions should be developed in order to ease the strain of informal caregiving with a consideration of risk factors of the burnout syndrome among family caregivers. There is a desperate need for further research of the topic in order to support a growing community of informal caregivers who are at a high risk of burnout.