Factors associated with burden among male caregivers for people with dementia

Background: There is a dearth of information on male dementia caregivers in Asia and, in particular, on the factors relating to caregiver burden. We aimed to identify factors that may be associated with burden among male caregivers of people with dementia (PWD). Methods: Data were collected from a national dementia registration survey. The caregiver burden was measured with the short version of the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). We analyzed the correlation between ZBI scores and variables, such as demographic data of PWD and their male caregivers, caregivers' monthly income, the relationship between PWD and caregivers, the severity of dementia, physical comorbidities and activities of daily living (ADL) of PWD, and neuropsychiatric symptoms assessed by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Results: A total of 509 PWD and their male caregivers were included. The majority of caregivers were sons (72.1%) and husbands (22.0%). Sons had higher ZBI scores than husbands (28.5 +/- 15.2 vs 22.0 +/- 17.0; p < 0.001). Multivariable linear regression showed that sons as caregivers (beta = 7.44, p = 0.034), ADL (beta = 0.52, p = 0.002), and NPI_severity subscore of apathy (beta = 2.74, p = 0.001) were positively associated with ZBI scores. Conclusion: Poor ADL and apathy in PWD and being a patient's son were associated with higher levels of burden among male dementia caregivers. Effective interventions are needed to assist male caregivers in accomplishing their caregiving role and at the same time to alleviate their caregiver burden.