Correlates of Quality of Life in Caregivers of Patients with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Affective Disorder: A Study From Southwestern Nigeria

Quality of life and its correlates were studied in two groups of family caregivers of patients with major mental disorders-Schizophrenia (SZ) and Bipolar Affective Disorder (BPAD). Family caregivers of SZ and BPAD patients were consecutively recruited to the study (n=100 for each group). Caregivers were screened for quality of life (QOL) measures, caregiver burden, symptoms of anxiety and depression, using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF), the Pai and Kapur Family Burden Interview Schedule (FBIS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Inventory (HADS) respectively. When compared to the caregivers of the BPAD patients, the caregivers of the SZ patients had lower QOL scores in two out of the 4 WHOQOL-BREF domains (physical and psychological domains) (p=0.001), and higher overall total caregiver burden (p=0.001). On the other hand, caregivers of the BPAD patients had higher levels of depressive symptoms (p=0.001). Increased depressive symptoms were associated with lower QOL for both groups, comprising all WHOQOLBREF domains for BPAD and 3 domains for SZ caregivers. Higher caregiver burden was associated with lower QOL for both groups. There is a need for intervention and caregiver support for the relatives of patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.