1379 - Caregiver Burden related to Rotavirus Gastroenteritis: a systematic literature review

Background: The health and economic impact of rotavirus gastroenteritis (RGE) is well researched, but the burden of RGE on caregivers and remaining family spillover effects has only been recognized recently. Efforts to quantify caregiver burden allow for a more holistic understanding of RGE’s disease burden; such an understanding is relevant when evaluating interventions to diminish RGE. In this review, we identified the methods used to quantify caregiver burden of RGE and summarize the findings.

Methods: We performed a systematic literature review on caregiver and family burden of RGE using PubMed and Scopus, combining MESH and free-range terms. We selected studies that estimated or conveyed the impact of RGE on the family via interviews, and administration of surveys or instruments. We focused on the caregiver and family’s subjective experience and included studies that quantified caregiver associated disutility weights, reports, stress, or emotional outcomes.

Results: After compiling the results of our search, we selected 10 publications (Figure 1). Four studies used the EQ-5D and the VAS to measure caregiver burden (Table 1). Caregiver utility at time of illness varied between 0.61 (caregivers of hospitalized children, Thailand), and 0.88 (caregivers of children enrolled at outpatient clinics, Canada). Caregiver burden was also measured in Spain (2 studies), Italy (3 studies), Belgium, France, Germany, Latvia, Poland, United States, Sweden, Taiwan and Vietnam, via stress scales (2 studies), especially designed questionnaires (2 studies), and interviews (2 studies). Using a questionnaire, RGE was found to disrupt family activities, cause stress and worry on caregivers; a 10-point stress scale revealed high levels of stress among caregivers in other countries. Using different instruments, the impact of RGE was found to increase with the severity of RGE.Results of the systematic literature review on caregiver burden.
Caregiver utility for caring for patients with Rotavirus Gastroenteritis (RGE) obtained using the EQ-5D and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).


Conclusion: RGE in infants was found to significantly disrupt the quality of life of caregivers, and to impact family activities and routine. Methods to quantify caregiver burden vary often without a validated disease-specific instrument which hinders comparison between different countries and incorporating the results in economic models.