British Indian Carers of Stroke Survivors Experience Higher Levels of Anxiety and Depression Than White British Carers: Findings of A Prospective Observational Study

What we know. Up to 40% of carers report significant carer strain.Consequences of increased carer strain include unsuccessful rehabilitation, poorer physical and psychosocial outcomes for stroke survivors, and high rates of institutionalisation. .Though caregiver strain depends in part on the severity of the initial stroke, the level of disability caused, and the level of care needed by the stroke survivor, carer characteristics are also important. .The supplementation of information and emotional support with specific training in basic nursing skills and activities of daily living facilitation is beneficial, in terms of carer outcomes, at least in a white, middle class population. .For minority ethnic groups, we do not know whether the same factors predict carer strain as for the majority, or whether the same interventions, aimed at alleviating it, are beneficial.What this paper adds .British Indian carers reported higher levels of depressive symptoms than White British carers.. British Indian stroke survivors were more likely to have significant cognitive impairment.. We found no significant differences in either the incidence or predictors of carer strain between White British and British Indian carers, using our prespecified definitions of carer strain. .Levels of reported depression, and anxiety and depression combined, were significantly higher in the British Indian carers, and levels of physical activity among carers were lower.