Symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout in informal caregivers of patients who have undergone kidney transplantation.

• Grant number: 25/04888-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Fundamentals and Assessments in Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Maria Cristina de Oliveira Santos Miyazaki
• Grantee: Kaio Kaoru Shimahara
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Patients who have undergone kidney transplantation require multiple forms of care, typically provided by informal caregivers, who are often regarded as "invisible patients" due to the burden associated with this role. The aim of this study is to evaluate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and burden among informal caregivers of patients who have undergone kidney transplantation. Method: A cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative study will be conducted. Participants will include adult informal caregivers of patients who have undergone kidney transplantation and are receiving care at the Nephrology Outpatient Clinic of FUNFARME (Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina). Those who agree to participate will sign an Informed Consent Form and complete a sociodemographic questionnaire, the DASS-21 Scale (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale), and the Burden Interview Scale. Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests (p<0.05). Expected Results: It is anticipated that high levels of anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms will be identified among these caregivers, as well as indicators of burden. Understanding the caregivers of kidney transplant patients treated at the Nephrology Outpatient Clinic will provide insights into their needs and improve the quality of healthcare services delivered to this population.