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Caregiver burden may decrease 1 year after TKA
Although caregiver burden nearly doubled in the early postoperative period after total knee arthroplasty, results showed the burden decreased by 1 year postoperatively.
Among 150 patients undergoing primary TKA and their caregivers, Alison Klika, MS, and colleagues had caregivers complete the caregiver strain index preoperatively and at 4 weeks and 1 year postoperatively. Researchers also collected the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score among patients and the Veterans Rand 12-item health survey among both patients and caregivers.
Compared with preoperative values, results showed significantly lower mean caregiver strain index scores at 1 year. Researchers found younger caregivers and employed caregivers had higher mean caregiver strain index values preoperatively and at 4 weeks postoperatively. The caregiver strain index had a negative correlation with the caregiver’s Veterans Rand 12-item health survey mental component score both preoperatively and at 4 weeks postoperatively, according to results.
“Total knee arthroplasty’s known to be one of the top elective procedures in terms of its impact on a patient’s quality of life. This study provides the first insight into its effect on the people who are involved in the care of the patient at home,” Klika told Healio.com/Orthopedics. “The burden on the caregiver doubled in the early weeks following surgery, but was close to zero by 1 year, highlighting that TKA benefits both patients and caregivers.” – by Casey Tingle
Disclosures: Klika reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.