Psychosocial Distress, Depression and Burden Among Primary Caregivers of Children With Steroid-Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome

Mritunjay Kumar; Rashmi Kumari; Rashmi Shukla; Namita Mishra; Amit Shukla; Bimlesh Prasad

doi:10.1007/s13312-025-00132-3

Psychosocial Distress, Depression and Burden Among Primary Caregivers of Children With Steroid-Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome

Indian Pediatr. 2025 Jul 8. doi: 10.1007/s13312-025-00132-3. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Mritunjay Kumar¹, Rashmi Kumari², Rashmi Shukla³, Namita Mishra⁴, Amit Shukla⁴, Bimlesh Prasad⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, 229405, India. drmkumar409@gmail.com.
² Department of Community Medicine, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
³ Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
⁴ Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, 229405, India.

PMID: 40627316
DOI: 10.1007/s13312-025-00132-3

Abstract

Objective: This study assessed the psychological distress, depression, and burden among primary caregivers of children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) and explored its association with disease severity and patient/caregiver demographics.

Methods: Psychological assessment of primary caregivers of children aged 6 months to 15 years with SSNS was performed using General Health Questionnaire-12 for psychological distress, Beck Depression Inventory for depression, and Zarit Burden Interview-6 for caregiver burden.

Results: Out of 72 eligible caregivers, 60 were included. Severe depression, severe psychological distress, and significant caregiver burden were observed in 38.3%, 30%, and 61.7% of primary caregivers, respectively. Steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS) and disease duration over 24 months increased severe psychological distress. Risk factors for caregiver depression included child < 7 years, female gender, frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome (FRNS)/SDNS, steroid use > 6 months, > 4 relapses, and prior hospitalization. Caregiver burden was higher in younger age, FRNS/SDNS, hospitalization, and lower middle socio-economic status.

Conclusion: Caregivers of children with SSNS experience significant psychological distress, depression, and financial burden.

Keywords: Child; Family; Kidney; Mental health; Psychology.