[en] Objective:the objective of this study is to examine the relationship between the musculoskeletal problems experienced by the family members who care for stroke patients, physical health and disability levels. Method:the subjects included in the study were patients and family caregivers admitted to the Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient clinic with a stroke diagnosis between May 30 th, 2019, and May 30 th, 2021. The caregivers were assessed using the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Validated scales were employed to evaluate stroke patients' physical health and disability level. Results:a total of 104 stroke patients and 104 caregivers who met our inclusion criteria took part in this study. Low back complaints in the last month were associated with the patients' Functional Ambulation Score (FAS), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) and Brunnstrom scores. Neck pain was the second musculoskeletal complaint, but was not statistically associated with patient-related factors. Upper limb problems were associated with FAS, FIM, SIS, Brunnstrom and the Modified Ashworth Scale scores. Conclusion:according to our findings, the low back is the body area most affected by musculoskeletal complaints in family caregivers of stroke patients, closely related to the patients' functional capacity and disability levels. Clinical trials number:NCT04901637(1) Stroke survivors highly depend on informal caregivers for daily living. (2) Family caregivers are at an increased risk of experiencing musculoskeletal problems. (3) The caregivers' musculoskeletal symptoms are related to the level of the patient disability. (4) Preventive medicine should become a part of nursing education for family caregivers.

[pt] Objetivo::o objetivo deste estudo é examinar a relação entre os problemas musculoesqueléticos vivenciados pelos familiares que cuidam de pacientes com AVC, a saúde física e o nível de deficiência do paciente. Método::foram incluídos no estudo pacientes e familiares cuidadores admitidos no hospital Kanuni Sultan Suleyman com diagnóstico de AVC entre 30 de maio de 2019 e 30 de maio de 2021. Os cuidadores foram avaliados utilizando o questionárioExtended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Escalas validadas foram usadas para avaliar a saúde física e o grau de incapacidade dos pacientes com AVC. Resultados::um total de 104 pacientes com AVC e 104 cuidadores atenderam aos critérios de inclusão do estudo. As queixas lombares no último mês foram associadas aos escores doFunctional Ambulation Score(FAS),Functional Independence Measure(FIM),Stroke Impact Scale(SIS) e teste de Brunnstrom do paciente. A dor no pescoço foi a segunda queixa musculoesquelética, mas não foi estatisticamente associada a fatores relacionados ao paciente. Os problemas nas extremidades superiores foram associados aos escores FAS, FIM, SIS, Brunnstrom e àModified Ashworth Scale. Conclusão::e acordo com os nossos achados, a região lombar é a área do corpo mais afetada por queixas musculoesqueléticas nos cuidadores familiares de pacientes com AVC, que estão intimamente relacionadas ao nível de capacidade funcional e ao grau de incapacidade dos pacientes. Número do estudo clínico:NCT04901637.