Behavioral disturbances and depression of patients with Parkinson's disease have significant impact on caregivers' burden and depression

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to determine the Parkinson's disease patient factors that increase caregiver burden and depression.

Method: 57 consecutive patients and their caregivers were enrolled. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale (MADRS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), and Caregiver Burden Scale (CBS) were applied to the caregiver group. Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Schwab England Activities of Daily Living Scale (SES), Behavioral Pathology of Alzheimer's Disease Frequency Weighted Scale (BEHAVE-AD), Standardized Mini Mental State Examination (S-MMSE), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were applied to patients.

Results: Female caregivers had significantly higher MADRS and CBS scores (p<.05), and female spouses had significantly higher MADRS scores (p<.05). Female adult children had significantly higher scores on the CBS (p<.01). Further analysis revealed that GDS and SES scores are the determinant of HDRS (R2=0.439, p<0.001). GDS scores are the determinant of CBS and MADRS scores of the caregivers (p<.05, p<.01) (R2=0.157, p<.05 and R2=0.316, p=.001, respectively). Patients' BEHAVE-AD scores are the determinant of the CBS scores of the caregivers (R2=0.145, p<.05).

Conclusion: This study suggests that the behavioral problems and depression of patients with Parkinson's disease have a significant impact on the burden and depression of their caregivers. The caregivers' psychological problems seem to differ in relation to gender and relationship with the patient.