Association between caregiver burden and quality of life among family caregivers of patients with heart failure: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Heart failure is a common and growing public health problem and a leading cause of recurrent hospital admission among adults aged 65 years and older. Family members are central to the provision of long-term care, but caregiving may impose a substantial burden and affect caregivers’ quality of life. This study aimed to determine caregivers’ quality of life and examine its association with caregiver burden among family caregivers of patients with heart failure. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Zanjan, Iran. The study population comprised family caregivers of patients with New York Heart Association functional class III or IV heart failure who were admitted to Ayatollah Mousavi Teaching Hospital. A convenience sample of 176 caregivers completed a demographic questionnaire, the Novak and Guest Caregiver Burden Inventory, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent-samples t tests, one-way analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression. Results The mean caregiver quality-of-life score was 63.3 ± 19.8, and the mean caregiver burden score was 46.34 ± 10.16. The multiple linear regression model was statistically significant (R = 0.475, R² = 0.226, F = 8.007, p < 0.001). Caregiver burden was the only significant independent predictor of quality of life (B = − 0.652, β = −0.335, p < 0.001); after adjustment for the other variables, each one-point increase in caregiver burden was associated with a 0.652-point decrease in quality of life. Conclusions Caregiver burden was independently and inversely associated with quality of life among family caregivers of patients with heart failure. Early identification of caregivers at risk and the provision of effective supportive, educational, and psychological interventions may help reduce caregiver burden and preserve caregivers’ quality of life.