Factors linked to informal caregiver burden in dementia across Latin America and the Caribbean: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Informal caregivers are central to dementia care in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), yet determinants of caregiver burden remain insufficiently characterized. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies examining patient- and caregiver-related correlates of burden in LAC. Random-effects models pooled Fisher's z-transformed correlations. Forty studies were included, of which 34 (n = 3,082 caregivers) were meta-analyzed. Higher burden was associated with the patient's neuropsychiatric and depressive symptoms, and caregiver depressive and anxiety symptoms. Better patient cognition and quality of life were associated with lower burden. Meta-regressions showed that higher caregiver education strengthened the association between patient depressive symptoms and burden, and a higher proportion of female caregivers strengthened the association between patient cognition and burden. Findings highlight the role of behavioral and affective symptoms and support culturally grounded, gender-sensitive strategies in LAC. High heterogeneity underscores the need for methodological harmonization and further regional research.