Disagreement about perceptions of patient disability between the stroke patient and caregiver: a cross sectional study exploring the association to patient and caregiver quality of life

Objectives: This study explored the association of disagreement in the perception of patient disability between patients and family caregivers with physical and psychological quality of life (QOL) in both parties. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of data collected from male stroke patients and family caregivers was conducted. Physical and psychological QOL in patients and caregivers were measured using the WHOQOL BREF. Perceptions of patient disability were measured using the 12-item WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (DAS). Using DAS scores reported independently by patients and caregivers, dyads were categorized into one of four groups representing agreement or disagreement about patient disability. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine the associations between WHOQOL scores in patients and caregivers and these four groups. Results: Among 56 dyads enrolled, approximately 52% were categorized into ‘agreement’ groups and 48% were categorized into ‘disagreement’ groups. The disagreement in perception about patient disability were significantly associated with poor patient physical QOL. However, the disagreement in perception were not significantly associated with caregiver QOL. Conclusion: Findings suggest the association of disagreement with QOL differs between patients and caregivers. Further research is needed to carefully appraise the relationship and interaction between patient and caregiver.