Trajectories of Experiences and Health-Related Quality of Life of Informal Caregivers of Home and In-Center Dialysis Patients: A Multicenter Longitudinal Cohort Study

The initiation of maintenance dialysis treatments presents notable challenges not only to patients but also to their informal caregivers, such as spouses, other family members, or friends. However, there is limited understanding of how these caregivers are affected over time. Therefore, we studied caregivers' experiences and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during the first year of dialysis treatments received by the individual for whom they provide care. We found that caregivers reported a decline in positive experiences, worse physical and general HRQoL, and more depressive symptoms over time, whether dialysis was implemented in the home or a dialysis center. However, the types of support needed by caregivers of home and in-center dialysis patients differed. These findings underscore the need for targeted support for informal caregivers in dialysis care.