Calidad de vida en pacientes con Alzheimer y sus cuidadores según el cuestionario SF-36. Revisión sistemática

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease progressively impairs patients' autonomy and requires ongoing care, usually assumed by family members. This situation creates a significant emotional and physical burden for both patients and their caregivers.Objective: To evaluate the quality of life of patients with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers by applying the SF-36 questionnaire.Material and Methods: A systematic review was conducted in the SCOPUS database using the PRISMA methodology, with a closing date of October 14, 2024. A total of 195 initial studies were filtered down to 20 primary studies. All studies related to the quality of life of patients and caregivers were included using the SF-36; those that did not answer the research question, had an errata report or retraction letter, and those with conflicts of interest were excluded.Results: The results show that the quality of life of Alzheimer's patients is particularly low in terms of mental health, reflecting a considerable impact on their mood and ability to maintain relationships. For caregivers, physical health is perceived as moderate, with an average of 62.97, while mental health is more vulnerable, with an average of 57.54 attributed to constant emotional pressure and stress from prolonged caregiving.Conclusions: Patients with Alzheimer's disease have a better perception of their physical health than their mental health. Caring for patients with Alzheimer's disease significantly affects caregivers' quality of life, especially in the emotional realm. The most effective interventions combine psychoeducational support and respite strategies, improving both caregivers' mental and physical health.