Predictors of self-care among informal caregivers of patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a cross-sectional study

Background Informal caregivers of individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) face unpredictable responsibilities that may compromise their health. While caregiver burden and psychological distress are well-documented, little is known about caregivers' self-care practices and their determinants. Methods A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted across 9 Italian IBD Units between April and June 2024. Caregivers completed validated measures of self-care (Self-Care of Informal Caregivers Inventory), caregiver burden (Zarit Burden Interview), and psychological distress (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21). Logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of inadequate self-care behaviors. Results A total of 229 caregivers were included (mean age 52.2 +/- 13.6 years; 59% women). Adequate self-care was high for routine behaviors such as daily hygiene (98.7%) and regular meals (87.8%), but low for emotionally and socially demanding behaviors, including professional counseling (18.3%), asking for assistance (12.2%), and accepting help (20.6%). Being unpartnered was associated with a higher likelihood of inadequate physical activity (odds ratio [OR] 2.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.32-4.17). Higher anxiety was related to inadequate attention to bodily discomfort (OR 1.32, 95%CI 1.11-1.56), whereas higher caregiver burden and depression were associated with a lower likelihood of inadequate emotional wellbeing strategies (OR 0.97, 95%CI 0.95-0.99), and inadequate help-seeking (OR 0.80, 95%CI 0.68-0.93), respectively. Conclusions Caregivers maintain basic health habits but show marked vulnerabilities in emotional and social self-care domains. Psychological distress and relational factors play a key role, underscoring the need for caregiver-centered interventions that promote emotional wellbeing, resilience, and help-seeking.