Allegri RF, Sarasola D, Serrano CM, Taragano FE, Arizaga RL, Butman J, Loñ L. Neuropsychiatric symptoms as a predictor of caregiver burden in Alzheimer's disease.
Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2006;
2:105-10. [PMID:
19412452 PMCID:
PMC2671738]
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Abstract
AIMS
Patients with Alzheimer's disease need assistance and supervision of their daily activities. They survive for protracted periods of time, placing an extensive burden of care on the caregiver prior to the patient's death. The present study addressed the predictive value of behavior-related burden on Alzheimer's disease caregivers.
PARTICIPANTS
82 patients with probable Alzheimer's (73.7 +/- 8.1 years), and their primary caregivers (59.6 +/- 14.8 years, 81.5% women), were assessed.
METHODS
Cognitive impairment, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and dementia severity were assessed with Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), respectively. Caregivers were given Zarit's Burden Interview and Carer Activity Inventory.
RESULTS
Neuropsychiatric symptoms like delusions, hallucinations, restlessness, anxiety, euphoria, disinhibition, unusual motor behavior, sleep disturbances, and appetite alterations were the best caregiver burden predictors (NPI r = 0.482, p < 0.001). No correlation with cognition, disease stage, or negative neuropsychiatric symptoms (depression and apathy) was found.
CONCLUSION
Increased caregiver burden was related to increased levels of patient behavioral disturbance. Of these symptoms, hallucinations, unusual (motor) behavior, and abnormal behavior at nighttime were the most significant. No correlation with neuropsychiatric symptoms such as apathy and depression was found. This may have relevance to appropriate interventions for caregivers.
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