[Alzheimer's caregiver burden and psychological distress. A neglected association in the assessment of dementias].
Year: 2002
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Caregivers of dementia patients have a high risk of developing mental disorders. Nevertheless, their burden is not routinely assessed during the clinical assessment of the Alzheimer's type dementia patients. This study was designed to evaluate the association between caregiver's burden and psychological distress and to estimate the prevalence of mental disorders among the caregivers. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of Alzheimer patients' caregivers (n = 40). The caregiver burden was assessed by the Zarit scale whereas the GHQ-28 was used to evaluate psychological distress. RESULTS: The Zarit caregiver burden scale was able to discriminate the psychic distress levels (area under the curve: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.77 0.98). Its sensitivity (93%; 95% CI: 68.0 99.8) and specificity (80%; 95% CI: 59.3 93.2) were good for a cut-off point of 62/63. The estimated prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the caregivers was 20.7% (95% CI: 0.0 60.0%). CONCLUSION: The Zarit caregiver burden scale is useful for assessing psychological distress and should be included in any clinical protocol devised to evaluate the needs of patients with dementia.
Source: Actas Españolas de Psiquiatría
Authors: M Martín Carrasco, J Ballesteros Rodríguez, N Ibarra Gandiaga, C Loizaga Arnaiz, B Serrano Valenzuela, M J Larumbe Lizarraga, C Aizcorbe Urroz, C Belenguer Abián
Language: Spanish
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W21317127