Family caregiver burden of patients with osteoporotic fracture in Japan

Osteoporotic fractures are the most common serious consequence of osteoporosis. Patients who suffer such fractures often require caregiver assistance afterwards. This study characterized the humanistic burden experienced by family caregivers of patients with osteoporotic fractures in Japan.

Family caregivers were defined as individuals who provided non-professional care to an osteoporotic fracture patient (> 50 years old). Caregivers were asked through an online survey panel about their caregiving situation, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), work impairment, and the health status of their patient. The Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI-22), 8-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-8), and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Caregiver version (WPAI-CG) were used to better understand the impact of osteoporotic fracture caregiving.

Respondents (n = 309) were family caregivers who were employed (81.6%) and cared for a parent (71.5%). Over 75% of caregivers had HRQoL physical and mental component scores below 50 on SF-8. Although most patients received welfare services (78.3%), the mean ZBI-22 score was 42.2 and 57.0% of caregivers perceived their burden to be moderate or severe (ZBI-22 score ≥ 41). Over half of caregivers changed their employment status due to their caregiving responsibilities and experienced 61.4% overall work impairment. The mean productivity loss for caregivers was estimated to be over 43,000 JPY per week.

The substantial humanistic and financial burden of caregiving by family members to osteoporotic fracture patients should be considered when evaluating the impact of fragility fractures, disease management and support systems for osteoporosis.