Depression and distress predict time to cardiovascular disease in dementia caregivers.

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the impact of depressive symptoms and distress from patient problem behaviors on time to developing a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a sample of 643 dementia family caregivers.

DESIGN

A longitudinal, prospective design was used. Over an 18-month period, caregivers free from a CVD diagnosis at baseline were assessed at 6, 12, and 18-month follow-ups for the onset of CVD.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Days to the onset of CVD was the primary outcome.

RESULTS

Over the length of the study, 32 participants (5%) reported a diagnosis of CVD. After adjusting for sociodemographic and health factors (e.g., high blood pressure, age, smoking history), greater depressive symptoms (p = .040) and distress from patient problem behaviors (p = .034) were significant predictors of time to CVD diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that increased depressive symptoms and reaction to patient problem behaviors (i.e., distress) may increase caregivers' risk for experiencing negative health outcomes, specifically CVD.