Kim et al. (2007) [32]

South Korea

To elucidate subjective and objective burden on primary PD- caregivers and identify related factors.

“Subjective burden refers to the effect and perception components of caregiver burden” (p. 244)

“Objective burden refers to the extent to which the demands of caregiving infringe on the caregiver’s time for self and others” (p. 244)

68 caregivers

(31 spouses,

21 children,

14 other family members,

2 unknown)

Pearson’s product moment correlation

Analysis of variance

Kruskal-Wallis

Yes

Subjective burden correlated with the caregiver variables age (≤ 40 years reported less), andrelation to care recipient (spouses reported highest) and with the patient variables motor disability, disease duration(˂1 and ˃10 years reported less)and monthly medical costs.

Objective burden correlated with patient motor disability and disease severity

Martinez-Martin et al. (2007) [37]

Spain

To assess the burden and HRQoL of PD caregivers and to determine the relationship between these and socio-demographics, emotional, functional factors and HRQoL

“The realm of physical, mental and socioeconomic problems experienced by the caregivers of chronic patients” (p. 924)

79 caregivers

(61 spouses,

15 children,

3 others)

Stepwise multiple regression based on factor analysis

No

Clinical aspects of PD were the main patient variables predicting caregiver burden, followed by patients’ mood and HRQoL

Schrag et al. (2006) [62]

United Kingdom

To assess caregiver burden and associated factors

No definition

116 caregivers

(Partners)

Pearson’s product moment correlation

Spearman’s rho

No

Increased PD disability and hallucination, confusion and falls were most strongly correlated with caregiver burden.

Correlation was also found between caregivers’ burden and patients’ depression, disease duration and QoL

Marsh et al. (2004) [50]

USA

To determine the prevalence and impact of psychiatric comorbidities in PwPD with psychosis

No definition

50 caregivers

(Not reported)

Stepwise linear regression

No

Psychosis was the major predictor of caregiver burden, followed by patient functional ability

Caap-Ahlgren and Dehlin (2002) [31]

Sweden

To identify various factors in PD patients and their caregivers that are of importance for caregiver burden

“Comprising subjective factors such as feelings of stress or strain, increased health problems and decreased feelings of well-being, and objective factors such as task burden, financial burden and behavioural problems” (p. 83)

65 caregivers

(58 spouses,

3 daughters,

2 sons,

1 brother,

1 niece)

Multivariate regression analyses

No

Patient’s functional status assessed by H&Y was the most important patient variable for caregiver burden in the multivariate analysis

Thommessen et al. (2002) [30]

Norway

To compare the psychosocial burden on spouses caring for patients with mild dementia, stroke and PD and to identify associated patient characteristics

“The strain or load on people caring for an elderly member of the family” (p. 79)

58 caregivers

(Spouses)

Multivariate modelling based on factor and path analysis

Yes

The regression model disclosed an effect on PD spouses psychosocial burden from the patients’ depressive symptoms and lower levels of cognitive function, but not from their ADL function