Neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with family caregiver burden and depression.

Lais Lopes Delfino,Anita Liberalesso Neri,Meire Cachioni,Caroline Komatsu,Ricardo Shoiti Komatsu

doi:10.1590/1980-57642021dn15-010014

Abstract

ABSTRACTAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and degenerative condition affecting several cognitive areas, with a decline in functional abilities and behavioral changes.Objective:To investigate the association between neuropsychiatric symptoms in older adults with AD and caregiver burden and depression.Methods:A total of 134 family caregivers of older people diagnosed with AD answered a questionnaire with sociodemographic data and questions concerning the care context, neuropsychiatric symptoms, caregiver burden, and depressive symptoms.Results:Results revealed that 95% of older adults had at least one neuropsychiatric symptom, with the most common being: apathy, anxiety, and depression. Among the 12 neuropsychiatric symptoms investigated, 10 were significantly associated with caregiver burden, while 8 showed significant correlations with depressive symptoms.Conclusions:Neuropsychiatric symptoms were related to caregiver burden and depressive symptoms. In addition to the older adult with AD, the caregiver should receive care and guidance from the health team to continue performing quality work.

Highlights

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive and degenerative brain condition that affects multiple cognitive areas and results in a decline in functional abilities and behavioral changes.[1]
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between each neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) presented by people with AD and the caregiver burden and depressive symptoms
The results revealed a predominance of female caregivers, who co-reside with the family member, are the patient’s adult children, present high burden, and do not have depressive symptoms

Summary

Introduction

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive and degenerative brain condition that affects multiple cognitive areas and results in a decline in functional abilities and behavioral changes.[1]. NPSs in patients with dementia are associated with worse prognosis, higher health care costs, greater impairment in daily functioning and quality of life, faster cognitive decline, early institutionalization, as well as increased mortality and caregiver burden.[6,7,8] Multiple factors contribute to the manifestation of NPSs, including aspects related to the person with dementia, the pathophysiological process of the disease, acute conditions, unmet needs, and pre-existing personality factors. Environmental conditions, caregiver-related factors, neglected needs, patient and caregiver personality, among other variables, can lead to the manifestation of NPSs.[9] Stress and depression increase when a caregiver manages NPSs, and these symptoms can be triggered or exacerbated when a caregiver is stressed or depressed.[10]

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Conclusion