Key result
Higher caregiver burden is independently linked to poorer quality of life in heart failure caregivers.
Why the study?
Family members play a central role in long-term heart failure care, yet caregiving may impose a substantial burden that affects their quality of life. This study sought to determine caregiver quality of life and clarify its association with caregiver burden among family caregivers of patients with heart failure.
Cross-Sectional (n=176)
No
Among family caregivers of patients with NYHA class III or IV heart failure, caregiver burden is independently and inversely associated with quality of life, highlighting the need for supportive interventions for at-risk caregivers.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Supports caregiver burden screening in advanced HF; leaves open whether interventions improve quality of life.
Background Heart failure is a common and growing public health problem and a leading cause of recurrent hospital admission among adults aged 65 years and older. Family members are central to the provision of long-term care, but caregiving may impose a substantial burden and affect caregivers’ quality of life. This study aimed to determine caregivers’ quality of life and examine its association with caregiver burden among family caregivers of patients with heart failure. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Zanjan, Iran. The study population comprised family caregivers of patients with New York Heart Association functional class III or IV heart failure who were admitted to Ayatollah Mousavi Teaching Hospital. A convenience sample of 176 caregivers completed a demographic questionnaire, the Novak and Guest Caregiver Burden Inventory, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent-samples t tests, one-way analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression. Results The mean caregiver quality-of-life score was 63.3 ± 19.8, and the mean caregiver burden score was 46.34 ± 10.16. The multiple linear regression model was statistically significant (R = 0.475, R² = 0.226, F = 8.007, p < 0.001). Caregiver burden was the only significant independent predictor of quality of life (B = − 0.652, β = −0.335, p < 0.001); after adjustment for the other variables, each one-point increase in caregiver burden was associated with a 0.652-point decrease in quality of life. Conclusions Caregiver burden was independently and inversely associated with quality of life among family caregivers of patients with heart failure. Early identification of caregivers at risk and the provision of effective supportive, educational, and psychological interventions may help reduce caregiver burden and preserve caregivers’ quality of life.
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Aghajanloo et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Family caregivers of patients with NYHA functional class III or IV heart failure (n=176). Caregiver burden (Novak and Guest Caregiver Burden Inventory score) was evaluated on Caregiver quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF score) (B -0.652 (β = -0.335), 95% CI -0.940 to -0.364, p=<0.001). Caregiver burden was independently and inversely associated with caregiver quality of life (B = -0.652, 95% CI -0.940 to -0.364, p < 0.001) among family caregivers of heart failure patients.
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