Burden and quality of life in caregivers of chronically ill patients based on the level dependecy

We analyzed the relationship between overburden and quality of life of primary caregivers of chronically ill patients, considering the index of independence of the patient. This is a descriptive- correlational, cross-sectional and prospective study, in which 351 informal primary caregivers of chronically ill patients participated from a community in the State of Mexico. Katz Index, Zarit Overburden Scale, WHOQOL-BREF were applied. The results indicate a moderate relationship between overburden and quality of life only in caregivers of dependent patients. The usefulness of classifying caregivers according to the degree of independence of the patient is concluded, from the community and primary care level to identify support needs in caregiving.