[Validation of the abbreviated Zarit scales for measuring burden syndrome in the primary caregiver of an elderly patient]

Abstract

Objective: To determine which abbreviated Zarit Scale (ZS) better evaluates the burden of the caregiver of an elderly patient in Medellin, Colombia.

Design: Validation study.

Setting: Primary Care setting in the city of Medellin.

Participants: Primary caregiver of dependent elderly patients over 65 years old.

Principal measurements: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the different abbreviated Zarit scales, plus performing a reliability analysis using the Cronbach Alpha coefficient.

Results: The abbreviated scales obtained a sensitivity of between 36.84 and 81.58%, specificity between 95.99 and 100%, positive predictive values between 71.05 and 100%, and negative predictive values of between 91.64 and 97.42%.

Conclusions: The scale that better determined caregiver burden in Primary Care was the Bedard Screening scale, with a sensitivity of 81.58%, a specificity of 96.35% and positive and negative predictive values of 75.61% and 97.42%, respectively.

Copyright © 2010 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.

Figures

Esquema general del estudio: Estudio observacional de validación y fiabilidad, para determinar la validez y consistencia interna de 4 escalas abreviadas de Zarit utilizadas para medir sobrecarga en cuidadores primarios.

Figura 1

Curva ROC de las escalas abreviadas de Zarit.