Caregiver burden in inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Caregiver burden is increasingly acknowledged in chronic illnesses but its impact in the context of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) remains underexplored.

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines to evaluate caregiver burden across physical, emotional, psychological, financial, and social domains. Comprehensive database searches were performed in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus databases on 3 February 2025. Studies assessing at least one aspect of caregiver burden in IBD were included. Data extraction and bias assessment were carried out independently by reviewers. Pooled prevalence rates for caregiver burden and associated domains were estimated using a random-effects model in R.

Out of 383 records, 25 studies met the inclusion criteria, with 12 eligible for meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of caregiver burden was 470 per 1000 carers (95% CI: 390-560), depression at 370 per 1000, and anxiety at 400 per 1000. Loss of work productivity and activity impairment were reported in 290 and 300 per 1000 caregivers, respectively. Stress, reduced quality of life, and financial burden were also common. Coping strategies varied, with adaptive strategies (e.g., religious practices) linked to lower burden. Caregiver burden was notably higher in cases of active disease, severe IBD, and among caregivers with additional dependents or personal psychiatric histories.

This systematic review underscores a substantial and multidimensional burden on caregivers of IBD patients, affecting mental health, productivity and quality of life. Future interventions should incorporate caregiver-centred support mechanisms and resilience training, emphasising psychosocial care as an integral component of IBD management. The study was registered on Open Science Framework (OSF), Registration https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/YA3NU .