Evaluation of depression status, burden and fatigue level of primer caregiver for spinal muscular atrophy patients who applied to Turgut Ozal Medical Center

Aim: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the depression status, care burden and fatigue levels of individuals caring for SMA patients. Material and Method: This research is a descriptive, cross-sectional study and also the population of the study was included individuals who provided care to SMA patients who applied to the TÖMC PTR unit between January 2023 and December 2023. The sample size was calculated as 85 and two caregivers of each patient, totaling 170 people, were included in the study. The data of the study were collected by face-to-face questionnaire application with caregivers. As scales; BDI, FSS, ZBI were used. Chi-Square test, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis Variance Analysis were used in statistical analysis. Results: The age range of the caregivers who participated in the study was 22-65 years and the mean age was 37.9±9.90. Considering the duration of care given to SMA patients; 32.9% received care between 0-2 years, 30.6% received care between 3-6 years, and 36.5% received care for 7 years or more. Of the caregivers who participated in the study, 31.2% had minimal depression symptoms, 29.4% had mild depression symptoms, 25.3% had moderate depression symptoms, and 14.1% had severe depression symptoms. Of the caregivers who participated in the study, 16.5% had no fatigue, 77.1% had fatigue, and 6.5% had chronic fatigue. The median Zarit Care Burden Scale score of the caregivers caring for the patients was 38.5 (5-67). The median Beck Depression Scale score was 14.0(1-52). The mean Fatigue Severity Scale score was 4.20±1.32. A strong, same-direction, significant correlation was found between Zarit Care Burden Scale Total Score and Fatigue Severity Scale Total Score (r=0.521, p=0.001). A strong, same-direction, significant relationship was found between the Total Score of the Zarit Care Burden Scale and the Total Score of the Beck Depression Scale (r=0.601, p=0.001). A strong, same-direction, significant correlation was found between Total Score of Fatigue Severity Scale and Total Score of Beck Depression Scale (r=0.506, p=0.001). Conclusion: It was observed that the level of depression and fatigue increased as the care burden increased in the caregivers of SMA patients.