Caregiving burden among caregivers of people with myasthenia gravis

Abstract Introduction/aims Informal caregivers play an important role in the lives of people with Myasthenia gravis (MG). This study aims to assess the caregiver burden (CB) experienced by caregivers of MG patients. Methods A cross-sectional study design collected patient and caregiver data in Germa...

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Main Authors: Sarah Dewilde, Nafthali H. Tollenaar, Pierre Boulanger, Annie Archer, Raquel Pardo, Elena Cortés-Vicente, Renato Mantegazza, Fiammetta Vanoli, Sophie Lehnerer, Marc Pawlitzki, Malgorzata Heinrich, Femke De Ruyck, Glenn Phillips, Sandra Paci
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-06-01
Series:Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-025-03842-w
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author Sarah Dewilde
Nafthali H. Tollenaar
Pierre Boulanger
Annie Archer
Raquel Pardo
Elena Cortés-Vicente
Renato Mantegazza
Fiammetta Vanoli
Sophie Lehnerer
Marc Pawlitzki
Malgorzata Heinrich
Femke De Ruyck
Glenn Phillips
Sandra Paci
author_facet Sarah Dewilde
Nafthali H. Tollenaar
Pierre Boulanger
Annie Archer
Raquel Pardo
Elena Cortés-Vicente
Renato Mantegazza
Fiammetta Vanoli
Sophie Lehnerer
Marc Pawlitzki
Malgorzata Heinrich
Femke De Ruyck
Glenn Phillips
Sandra Paci
author_sort Sarah Dewilde
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction/aims Informal caregivers play an important role in the lives of people with Myasthenia gravis (MG). This study aims to assess the caregiver burden (CB) experienced by caregivers of MG patients. Methods A cross-sectional study design collected patient and caregiver data in Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, and France. The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI-22), EQ-5D-5L and bolt-on questions, and PROMIS Global Health-10 were used to measure CB and overall health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Results Caregivers (N = 69) reported a mean ZBI-22 score of 24.3, with 40.6% reporting no burden, 47.8% mild-to-moderate burden, 8.7% moderate-to-severe burden, and 2.9% severe burden. The most impacted ZBI-22 dimensions were “losing control over one’s life”, “financial burden” and “relationships with relatives”. Based on a generic health-related quality of life scale (EQ-5D-5L plus bolt-on questions), the dimensions that were more frequently reported among MG caregivers to cause moderate-to-extreme problems were: tiredness (43%), self-confidence (32%), and anxiety/depression (28%). EQ-5D-5L utilities (values from -1 to 1, reflecting overall HRQoL) were negatively associated with higher ZBI-22 scores (little or no burden: 0.942, mild-to-moderate burden: 0.864, moderate-to-severe burden: 0.783, severe burden: 0.570). Regarding PROMIS-10 items, 48% of caregivers reported often/always being bothered by anxiety, depression, or irritation; 47% reported being not at all or little able to carry out daily activities; and 37% reported having (very) severe fatigue. Conclusion Informal caregivers of MG patients experience a substantial burden, impacting their physical, emotional, and financial well-being. Findings highlight the need for tailored interventions to alleviate CB and enhance the caregivers’ overall HRQoL.
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spelling doaj-art-dfbd99e32e6d4eefb5867ec12cee8f6c2025-08-20T03:22:54ZengBMCOrphanet Journal of Rare Diseases1750-11722025-06-0120111310.1186/s13023-025-03842-wCaregiving burden among caregivers of people with myasthenia gravisSarah Dewilde0Nafthali H. Tollenaar1Pierre Boulanger2Annie Archer3Raquel Pardo4Elena Cortés-Vicente5Renato Mantegazza6Fiammetta Vanoli7Sophie Lehnerer8Marc Pawlitzki9Malgorzata Heinrich10Femke De Ruyck11Glenn Phillips12Sandra Paci13Services in Health Economics (SHE)Services in Health Economics (SHE)Association des Myasthéniques Isolés et Solidaires (AMIS)Myasthenia patient group, AFM-TelethonAsociación Miastenia de España (AMES)Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant PauFondazione IRCCS, Istituto Nazionale Neurologico Carlo BestaFondazione IRCCS, Istituto Nazionale Neurologico Carlo BestaCharité –Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Neuroscience Clinical Research CenterDepartment of Neurology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University DüsseldorfVitaccessArgenx BVArgenx BVArgenx BVAbstract Introduction/aims Informal caregivers play an important role in the lives of people with Myasthenia gravis (MG). This study aims to assess the caregiver burden (CB) experienced by caregivers of MG patients. Methods A cross-sectional study design collected patient and caregiver data in Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, and France. The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI-22), EQ-5D-5L and bolt-on questions, and PROMIS Global Health-10 were used to measure CB and overall health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Results Caregivers (N = 69) reported a mean ZBI-22 score of 24.3, with 40.6% reporting no burden, 47.8% mild-to-moderate burden, 8.7% moderate-to-severe burden, and 2.9% severe burden. The most impacted ZBI-22 dimensions were “losing control over one’s life”, “financial burden” and “relationships with relatives”. Based on a generic health-related quality of life scale (EQ-5D-5L plus bolt-on questions), the dimensions that were more frequently reported among MG caregivers to cause moderate-to-extreme problems were: tiredness (43%), self-confidence (32%), and anxiety/depression (28%). EQ-5D-5L utilities (values from -1 to 1, reflecting overall HRQoL) were negatively associated with higher ZBI-22 scores (little or no burden: 0.942, mild-to-moderate burden: 0.864, moderate-to-severe burden: 0.783, severe burden: 0.570). Regarding PROMIS-10 items, 48% of caregivers reported often/always being bothered by anxiety, depression, or irritation; 47% reported being not at all or little able to carry out daily activities; and 37% reported having (very) severe fatigue. Conclusion Informal caregivers of MG patients experience a substantial burden, impacting their physical, emotional, and financial well-being. Findings highlight the need for tailored interventions to alleviate CB and enhance the caregivers’ overall HRQoL.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-025-03842-wCaregiver burdenMyasthenia gravisZBI-22Informal caregiverQuality of life
spellingShingle Sarah Dewilde
Nafthali H. Tollenaar
Pierre Boulanger
Annie Archer
Raquel Pardo
Elena Cortés-Vicente
Renato Mantegazza
Fiammetta Vanoli
Sophie Lehnerer
Marc Pawlitzki
Malgorzata Heinrich
Femke De Ruyck
Glenn Phillips
Sandra Paci
Caregiving burden among caregivers of people with myasthenia gravis
Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases
Caregiver burden
Myasthenia gravis
ZBI-22
Informal caregiver
Quality of life
title Caregiving burden among caregivers of people with myasthenia gravis
title_full Caregiving burden among caregivers of people with myasthenia gravis
title_fullStr Caregiving burden among caregivers of people with myasthenia gravis
title_full_unstemmed Caregiving burden among caregivers of people with myasthenia gravis
title_short Caregiving burden among caregivers of people with myasthenia gravis
title_sort caregiving burden among caregivers of people with myasthenia gravis
topic Caregiver burden
Myasthenia gravis
ZBI-22
Informal caregiver
Quality of life
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-025-03842-w
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