Abstract
Objectives
The aims of this study are to describe the care burden on caregivers of individuals
with intractable neurological diseases and to clarify the prevalence of depression
in caregivers and factors related to the presence of depression.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among caregivers who provide home care to patients
with neurological diseases such as Parkinson disease (PD), spinocerebellar degeneration
(SCD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), using
a mailed, self-administered questionnaire. We used the Burden Index of Caregivers
to measure multi-dimensional care burden and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies
Depression scale to determine the presence of depression among caregivers.
Results
A total of 418 questionnaires were analyzed. Although several domains of care burden
for caregivers were significantly different among the four diseases, the intensity
of caregiving and hours spent caregiving were the main definitive variables. In addition,
we described different aspects of the care burden using the multi-dimensional care
burden scale. The prevalence of depression in caregivers was high (PD, 46%; SCD, 42%;
MSA, 63%; ALS, 61%). Hours required for close supervision of the patient (P=0.015), intensity of caregiving (P=0.024), and low household income (P=0.013) were independently-related variables for depression in caregivers.
Conclusions
The care burden of caregivers was mainly explained by the intensity of caregiving
and hours spent caregiving per day, not only according to the disease. The high prevalence
of depression indicates the need for effective interventions, especially for caregivers
of patients with MSA and ALS.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
September 16,
2008
Received in revised form:
September 12,
2008
Received:
April 1,
2008
Footnotes
☆Disclosure: This study was supported by a grant from the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare of Japan for the study of “Outcomes Research of Specific Diseases.” We have no conflict of interest regarding this research.
☆☆Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the authors alone.
Identification
Copyright
© 2008 Elsevier B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
