[Health and social problems of caregivers of patients with dementia].

OBJECTIVE

To describe the physical and psychological morbidity of carers of patients with dementia and to compare them with a group of carers of non-demented patients in the home care programme.

DESIGN

Descriptive crossover study, based on face-to-face interviews, with a reference group for comparison.

SETTING

Community, Toledo and Esquivias Health Districts.

PARTICIPANTS

61 carers of patients with dementia, and 61 of patients in home care.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The interview collected the following variables: social, demographic, morbidity (chronic pathologies, insomnia, anxiety-depression...), medication and interference with social life. Both samples were homogeneous for age, sex, marital status, relationship to patient and educational level of the carers, and age and sex of the patients. The problems most often referred to by the two groups of carers were osteo-muscular. The most commonly used drugs were analgesic-NSAIDs, hypertension and anxiety-depression drugs. Insomnia was significantly more common (p < 0.05) in carers of demented patients (63.93%) than in the other group (44.26%), although consumption of sleeping draughts was similar. The Goldberg test was positive in 49.18% of carers of demented patients and in 31.15% of the others (p < 0.05). Carers of demented patients had a more restricted social life (p < 0.01). Only 25.41% thought that their doctor and/or nurse were concerned about their situation as carer.

CONCLUSIONS

We found more anxiety-depression and insomnia in carers of demented patients. Interference of care with their social life was greater in this group. Carers view the interest shown in their problems by health-workers as insufficient.