Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
3. Uluslararası Doğu Karadeniz Aİle Hekimliği Kongresi, Ordu, Türkiye, 22 - 24 Mayıs 2025, ss.1-14, (Özet Bildiri)
Introduction: The elderly population, defined as individuals aged 65 and over, is growing rapidly
worldwide. This demographic shift is leading to an increased burden on caregivers, who are
essential in assisting elderly patients. In our study, we aim to determine the burden of caregivers
providing care for elderly patients. Method: Our study was conducted from March 2023 at
Bezmialem Vakıf University Faculty of Medicine Hospital, focusing on caregivers of hospitalized
patients aged 65 and over. After collecting personal information, we used the Caregiver Burden
Scale (CBS) for caregiver burden, the Mini Nutritional Assessment Test (MNAT) and Healthy Eating
Attitude Scale for nutritional status, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Insomnia
Severity Index (ISI) for sleep status. For muscle strength, a handgrip dynamometer was applied to
the arm three times, and the maximum result was evaluated. Result: To date, the study has
enrolled 100 volunteer caregivers, comprising 79 females and 21 males, with a mean age of 50.5
years. According to the MNAT, the prevalence of undernutrition among participants is 48%. The
ESS indicates a daytime excessive sleepiness prevalence of 12%, while the ISI reveals a
moderate insomnia rate of 10%. Additionally, the handgrip test shows muscle weakness rates of
5% in females and 4% in males. When comparing total scores among participants, after
adjustment for all confounders, a negative correlation was atill observed between CBS and the
MNAT, and a positive correlation was found between CBS and the ISI (p<0.05). Conclusion:
Caregiver burden is linked to poor nutrition and sleep disturbances. Therefore, the sleep and
nutrition status of caregivers should be regularly monitored, and necessary measures should be
taken.