Caregiver burden and quality of life of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in India.

AIM: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or motor neuron disease (MND) is a progressive degenerative disorder that can have significant debilitating impact. Few studies have explored living with ALS in the developing countries. The study aims to understand the relationship between functionality, quality of life, and caregiver burden in ALS in the sociocultural scenario in India.

METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed among 30 persons with ALS and their caregivers (men = 19; women = 11) receiving treatment from a national quaternary referral care center for Neurological disorders in Southern India. All patients were diagnosed as Definite ALS according to El Escorial Criteria. The mean age at onset of illness was 51.6 years and mean duration of illness at presenting to hospital was 11 months. The caregivers were spouses, offspring, or siblings. Variables were assessed with ALS Functional Rating Scale Revised (ALSFRS- R), ALS Specific Quality of Life Scale (ALSSQOL-R) with the patients and Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) with the caregiver.

RESULTS: Functionality and quality of life negatively correlated with caregiver burden. Caregiver burden was negatively associated with "negative emotional state" and "interaction of the patient with family and environment", sub domains in ALSQOL scale. No significant association was noted between caregiver burden and intimacy, religiosity as well as physical symptoms domains of quality of life.

CONCLUSION: ALS patients and caregivers would benefit from structured care plan that is sensitive to the impact of the illness on the specific domains of quality of life as well as the deterioration in the neurological functioning.