Religiosity and quality of life of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and of caregivers: Relationship with clinical aspects.

Gloria Maria A.S Tedrus,Gabriela Scartezini Mônico,Julio Cesar Bredas Ciancaglio,Lineu Correa Fonseca,Carolina Zamperi

doi:10.1590/1980-57642020dn14-010011

Gloria Maria A.S Tedrus, Gabriela Scartezini Mônico + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-57642020dn14-010011

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Abstract

ABSTRACTThere are few studies on the religiosity of people with Alzheimer’s disease (PwAD) and caregivers, relation with quality of life (QoL) and clinical aspects.Objective:To assess the religiosity and QoL of 39 PwAD and their caregivers; to compare perceived QoL and religiosity of the PwAD with those of their caregivers; to associate QoL and religiosity with the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms, and depression with cognitive performance of PwAD.Results:Organizational religiosity was greater in caregivers. The AD patients had poorer perceived QoL than their caregivers. Caregiver religiosity correlated with that of the AD patients. Higher intrinsic religiosity was associated with lower occurrence of neuropsychiatric symptoms. Better caregiver QoL correlated with cognitive performance. Lower occurrence of depression correlated with better QoL of the caregivers and AD patients.Conclusion:The religiosity of caregivers was correlated with that of the AD patients. Better QoL and lower religiosity were observed in caregivers when compared with the AD patients. Caregiver religiosity and QoL were associated with neuropsychiatric and cognitive aspects and depression.

Highlights

There are few studies on the religiosity of people with Alzheimer’s disease (PwAD) and caregivers, relation with quality of life (QoL) and clinical aspects
PwAD were older and had fewer years of formal education when compared with the caregivers
This study assessed aspects of religiosity and QoL of 39 consecutive elderly patients diagnosed with AD and their caregivers

Summary

Introduction

There are few studies on the religiosity of people with Alzheimer’s disease (PwAD) and caregivers, relation with quality of life (QoL) and clinical aspects. Lower occurrence of depression correlated with better QoL of the caregivers and AD patients. Caregiver religiosity and QoL were associated with neuropsychiatric and cognitive aspects and depression. RELIGIOSIDADE E QUALIDADE DE VIDA DO INDIVIDUOS COM DOENÇA DE ALZHEIMER E DO CUIDADOR: RELAÇÕES COM ASPECTOS CLÍNICOS E COGNITIVOS RESUMO. Studies suggest a relationship between spirituality, religiosity and health in several contexts and highlight the positive aspects in quality of life (QoL) and general well-being.[1,2]. This relationship is complex and bidirectional and, despite increased scientific interest, several mechanisms involved in this relationship are still unknown.[1,3]. Studies have suggested that increased religiosity during negative life events, such as during illnesses, may lead individuals to use positive or negative patterns of religious coping strategies to deal with a disease in situations of stress.[4]

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