Sociodemographic and clinical profile, caregiver burden, and quality of life in dementia: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: ( 1) The objective of the study is to evaluate the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of dementia patients, (2) to assess the caregiver burden and QOL in dementia patients and (3) to find the association of sociodemographic profile and QOL with clinical variables (cognitive impairment and severity of dementia). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Dharwad Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences from January 2020 to December 2021. Thirty consenting patients aged ≥45 years, diagnosed with dementia as per Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5 th Edition criteria and meeting defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, were enrolled. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected using a structured pro forma. Cognitive function and severity of dementia were assessed using the Hindi Mental State Examination and dementia severity rating scale, respectively. Caregiver burden and patient QOL were evaluated using the Zarit Burden Interview and World Health Organization-QOLBREF scales. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0. Group differences were analyzed using the Chi-square test or analysis of variance, with a p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age was 67.8 years; 57% of the participants were female, 70% were illiterate, and 90% lived in rural areas. Most patients exhibited moderate (80%) or severe (13.3%) cognitive impairment. Half of the caregivers reported moderate-to-severe burden, while 17% experienced severe burden. Increased dementia severity was significantly associated with greater disability and poorer QOL (p < 0.05). Higher caregiver burden correlated with lower mobility, self-care, and psychological well-being in patients. Conclusion: A cross-sectional study delineates a complex interrelationship between patient demographic factors, cognitive and functional impairment, QOL, and caregiver burden in rural dementia populations. While the severity of dementia unequivocally diminishes QOL across all domains, specific rural challenges appear greatest in psychological well-being. Caregiver burden is both a consequence and a contributor to patient outcomes, advocating for integrated, context-sensitive approaches to rural dementia care.