Factors associated with carer strain in carers of people with multiple sclerosis

To examine the factors associated with strain in carers of people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

People with MS were recruited from an MS management clinic. Demographic information, memory, executive function, attention/concentration, mood, disability and health of the person with MS, the carer's opinion of the care-recipient's memory and disability, and the carer's mood were recorded. A postal questionnaire to identify factors associated with carer strain was sent to carers. A further questionnaire was sent to carers to examine the association between memory problems in people with MS and carer strain.

Problems with everyday memory and activities of daily living were found to be associated with carer strain. Strained carers perceived strain to be a consequence of the memory problems (p < 0.01). Aspects of the memory problems related to carer strain were the amount of time a carer could spend alone (p = 0.01), the carer's mood and less sympathetic feelings towards the person with MS (p < 0.05). Strained carers had more desire for other people to help the person with MS deal with the memory problems by themselves than carers who were not under strain (p = 0.03).

Carer strain was associated with memory problems experienced by people with MS.