Abstract: Objective To investigate the burden of family caregivers for hemodialysis (HD) patients and its influence factors. Methods A total of 120 family caregivers for HD patients were investigated by the general self-designed questionnaire and zarit burden interview (ZBI). Results Total ZBI score of the caregivers was 30.28 ± 17.27, and 67.5% caregivers felt caregiver burden. The factors influencing the burden included social support, self- care ability, caregiver gender and the time spent on care (social support: β =-0.781, P＜0.001; self-care ability: β=0.236, P<0.001; caregiver gender: β=0.280, P=0.001; the time spent on care: β =-0.025, P =0.005). Conclusion Caregivers should have proper guidance and help to alleviate their physical and mental burden, in order to improve the quality of life of caregivers and hemodialysis patients.

Key words: Hemodialysis, Caregiver, Burden, Social support