For patients with progressive, incurable conditions such as the chronic lung diseases (CLD)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and ILD (Interstitial Lung Disease), quality of
life alters with time. The burden of illness for patients, carers and health services can be
profound. The National Framework 2013/2014 recognises the emphasis of care required to
reduce the impact of chronic disease upon carers. However care burden is not routinely
measured.
25 pairs of patient and carers were recruited over a
6 month period. Patient statistics: males 13, MRC 5
(IQR 4-5), mean (SD) age 74.5yrs (9.5), FEV1 1.05l
(0.36), 44% on LTOT. Patient self-reported anxiety
using The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
(HADS)
2
and a measure of their carers burden
using The Carers Burden Scale
3
were obtained
during a specialist nurse home visit. Following
collection these two scores were correlated to
establish the relationship.
A statistically significant relationship between patient anxiety and caregiver
burden was observed (p<0.001). In addition we noted a statistical significant
difference between the reported caregiver burden scores of the two CLD
diagnoses (p<0.012).
Mean scores as presented in table 1.
Patients anxiety levels and caregiver burden
appears to be closely correlated in CLD. This
may have clinical implications when developing
new health care strategies; in particular COPD,
where the longer term needs may exceed a
decade.
Is there a connection between patient anxiety and caregiver burden for
those living with, and alongside chronic lung disease?
Emma Vincent
1,2
,Louise Sewell
1
, Sarah Ward
1
, Jane Scullion
2
1
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Department, Glenfield Hospital, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester,
2
Respiratory Medicine, Glenfield Hospital, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester,
This study investigated the relationship between caregiver burden and patient reported
anxiety.
References
1. Department of Health NHS Outcome Framework 2013/2014. Domain 2
2. Zigmond, AS; Snaith, RP (1983). "The hospital anxiety and depression scale". Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 67 (6): 361370
3. A. Zant (1980) Caregiver Burden Scale Gerontologist. 20:649-655
Results Introduction
Methods
Conclusion
Aim
Interstitial
Lung Disease
Chronic
Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease
CB 17.7(9.27) 38.69(22.71)

P<0.012
Table 1 Caregiver burden (CB) scores shown between diagnosis.
*p 0.05 All values are mean (SD). Key: FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 second; MRC, Medical Research Council;
IQR, interquartile range; LTOT long term oxygen therapy.