The Burden of Urinary Incontinence on Caregivers and Evaluation of Its Impact on Their Emotional Status

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate caregivers of children with urinary incontinence in terms of the caregiving burden and its associated manifestations. METHODS: Caregivers of children who are being treated for urinary incontinence secondary to neurogenic and non-neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) were evaluated for caregiver burden (Zarit score), depression (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]), and anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory [BAI]). Additionally, children were evaluated for dysfunctional voiding score. All scores were statistically analyzed for correlation with and relation to the caregiver’s emotional status. RESULTS: Zarit score was equal in caregivers of children with neurogenic and non-neurogenic LUTD. BDI score was higher in caregivers of patients with neurogenic LUTD, whereas BAI score was higher in caregivers of patients with non-neurogenic LUTD. In the evaluation performed, considering the etiological difference, Zarit score in the group with non-neurogenic LUTD correlated positively with BAI and BDI scores. In the neurogenic bladder group, Zarit score correlated with BDI score. CONCLUSION: It is important not only in psychiatric patients, but also in those with other chronic disease processes, to evaluate the mental status of caregivers and to support them in dealing with the problem.