Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
J Prim Care Community Health. 2024 Jan-Dec;15:21501319241288029. doi: 10.1177/21501319241288029.
There are many challenges that entail caring for an individual with dementia, affecting not only the individual with the condition but also their caregivers. This can lead to increased burden, frustration, and depression among those taking care of them. A research gap exists concerning the care of people with dementia in Egypt, particularly regarding the mental health of caregivers. Limited studies have been conducted in Egypt, particularly focusing on the mental health of caregivers. This lack highlights the need to understand the prevalence and impact of caregiver burden in this population.
The research aimed to evaluate the burden of dementia, levels of depression, and anxiety among family caregivers of individuals with dementia.
A cross-sectional study was conducted at a geriatric unit clinic of a psychiatric hospital in Cairo University, Egypt. Caregiver burden, anxiety, and depression were assessed using questionnaires. These questionnaires included the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), together with demographic data on the patients and caregivers.
The majority of the 141 participants (73% (n = 103)) were female, mostly daughters, with an average age of 40 years. Approximately 50% (n = 71) of the subjects exhibited mild to moderate burden, whereas 30% (n = 43) showed moderate to severe burden. About 31% (n = 44) of the subjects exhibited symptoms of moderate depression, whereas 9% (n = 13) had symptoms of severe depression. Furthermore, almost 43% (n = 60) of caregivers exhibited a moderate level of anxiety. Furthermore, a significant association was seen between caregiver burden and the presence of anxiety and depression.
This study showed a substantial burden in providing care, elevated levels of despair, and anxiety among caregivers of PWD. The findings highlight how important it is to develop targeted therapies and support systems in order to lessen the load on caregivers, advance their mental health, and improve overall care for both caregivers and their patients in Egypt. Policy-makers should prioritize investing in dementia-related support systems and services to empower caregivers and improve the quality of life for both caregivers and their patients.
照顾痴呆症患者存在诸多挑战，这不仅影响患者，也影响患者的照护者。这可能导致照护者的负担、挫败感和抑郁情绪增加。埃及在痴呆症患者护理方面存在研究空白，特别是在照护者的心理健康方面。埃及的相关研究有限，特别是关注照护者的心理健康。这种缺乏凸显了理解该人群中照护者负担的普遍性和影响的必要性。
本研究旨在评估痴呆症患者家庭照护者的负担、抑郁和焦虑水平。
本研究为一项横断面研究，在埃及开罗大学精神病院的老年科诊所进行。使用问卷评估照护者负担、焦虑和抑郁。这些问卷包括 Zarit 负担量表（ZBI）、广泛性焦虑障碍量表（GAD-7）和患者健康问卷-9（PHQ-9），以及患者和照护者的人口统计学数据。
141 名参与者中，大多数为女性（73%（n=103）），主要是女儿，平均年龄为 40 岁。大约 50%（n=71）的受试者表现出轻度至中度负担，而 30%（n=43）表现出中度至重度负担。约 31%（n=44）的受试者出现中度抑郁症状，而 9%（n=13）出现重度抑郁症状。此外，约 43%（n=60）的照护者表现出中度焦虑。此外，照护者负担与焦虑和抑郁的存在之间存在显著关联。
本研究显示，在埃及，痴呆症患者的照护者承担着沉重的负担，他们的绝望和焦虑程度较高。研究结果强调了制定有针对性的治疗方法和支持系统的重要性，以减轻照护者的负担，改善他们的心理健康，提高埃及的整体照护质量。政策制定者应优先投资于与痴呆症相关的支持系统和服务，以增强照护者的能力，并改善照护者及其患者的生活质量。
