巴西圣保罗老年抑郁症患者的照料者负担

Caregiver burden in an elderly population with depression in São Paulo, Brazil.

作者信息

Scazufca Marcia, Menezes Paulo R, Almeida Osvaldo P

机构信息

Departamento de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, R Mário de Alencar 185, São Paulo - SP, Brazil.

出版信息

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2002 Sep;37(9):416-22. doi: 10.1007/s00127-002-0571-6.

DOI:10.1007/s00127-002-0571-6

PMID:12242617

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Mental disorders are among the most prevalent chronic conditions in old age, depression being the most widespread. The aim of this study was to examine the burden and distress reported by carers of elderly patients with depression.

METHOD

Patients aged 60 or over starting outpatient treatment for depression and their relatives were included. Patients were assessed for the severity of depressive symptoms, behaviour and mood disturbance, and abilities of daily living. Relatives were assessed for burden and emotional distress.

RESULTS

Eighty-two patients and their relatives were included. Levels of carers' burden were high. Multiple linear regression showed that patients' behaviour and mood disturbance and relatives's emotional distress scores were independently associated with relatives' burden.

CONCLUSIONS

Levels of burden were similar to those found in studies with carers of elderly people with dementia, indicating that depressive symptoms can be considered an important source of distress for caregivers.

摘要