A comparison of burden of care in caregivers of patients with schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder

Background: Schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are two common and chronic psychiatric illnesses known to be associated with a considerable burden of caregiving. Various sociodemographic and clinical variables can influence the caregiving experience of the caregivers of these patients. Aim and Objectives: The present study aims to assess the burden of care, with the help of a well-standardized tool, and its relationship with different factors related to the caregivers. Materials and Methods: After obtaining the ethical approval from the Institutional Ethical Committee, a total of 50 adult caregivers with their patients with OCD as well as 50 caregivers with their patients with schizophrenia were enrolled on the study. The burden assessment schedule (BAS) was the principal tool to assess the burden of care in the caregivers of both patient groups. Results: The majority of the caregivers were male in both study groups. Both the study groups were comparable in terms of all sociodemographic variables except education and occupation. An education level of high school and above was found in a significantly higher number of the caregivers of patients with the OCD than those with schizophrenia (76% vs. 34%; χ2= 25.76; P<0.001). A significantly higher number (70% vs. 42%, χ2=8.227, P<0.05) of caregivers of patients with schizophrenia were unemployed. Both groups were comparable in terms of the overall burden of care (i.e., total BAS score), but the caregivers of patients with schizophrenia had a significantly higher mean score of the burden in the domain “caregiver’s routine” (8.92±1.82 vs. 8.08±1.85; t=2.291; P<0.05) and in the domain “taking responsibility” (11.0±0.50 vs. 10.08±0.94; t=6.103; P<0.001) than the caregivers of patients with OCD. Conclusion: The burden of care in the caregivers of patients with the OCD was not less than that in patients with schizophrenia in almost all of its domains except the burden of caregiver’s routines and taking responsibilities which were higher than the caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. There is a need for the development of educational inputs and support programs for these caregivers based on their local needs.