Neuropsychiatric symptoms as the main determinant of caregiver burden in Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Caregiver burden is common in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), decreasing the quality of life among caregivers and patients. Projections of aging and aging-related diseases such as AD in developing countries justify additional data about this issue because people living in these countries have shown similarly high levels of caregiver strain as in the developed world.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to analyze the association of AD caregivers’ burden with patients’ neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), cognitive status, severity of dementia, functional capacity, caregiver sociodemographic characteristics, and the characteristics of care provided by caregivers.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 39 consecutive AD patients and their primary caregivers. NPS were evaluated using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Severity of dementia was assessed with the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale. Functional capacity was assessed using the Katz and Lawton scales. The burden level was rated using the Burden Interview (BI). Sociodemographic characteristics of caregivers and the characteristics of care provided by them were evaluated. The Mann-Whitney U-test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman’s rho coefficient were performed.ResultsThe BI had a moderate correlation with NPI intensity (rho=0.563), p<001. Female caregivers reported a greater level of burden (p=0.031) than male caregivers. The other variables were not significantly associated to caregiver burden.ConclusionNPS were the main determinant of burden in primary caregivers of AD patients. This result underscores the need for prevention and treatment of these symptoms. Sex also had an effect on caregiver burden, but the small male sample in this study precludes the generalization of this finding.

Utility of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q) in the assessment of a sample of patients with Alzheimer's disease in Chile

“…These results are consistent with those reported in previous studies analyzing the impact of NPS on caregiver burden and quality of life. Kochhann et al 22 studied this association and concluded that NPS in patients with AD are the main cause of caregiver distress and burden, and that this association becomes stronger as the severity of dementia increases.…”

Are neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia linked to CSF biomarkers of synaptic and axonal degeneration?

“…Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are common in dementia, greatly impacting the quality of life and caregiver burden [ 1 – 3 ]. The underlying neuropathological mechanisms of NPS are not sufficiently comprehended, but have been linked to region-specific pathology of brain areas, such as the cingulate cortex and left frontal cortex [ 4 , 5 ].…”

Atenção Farmacêutica Ao Cuidador De Paciente Com Doença De Alzheimer

“…O papel de cuidador é visto, culturalmente, como uma função feminina (8)(9) , incutindo à mulher do núcleo familiar o papel de tutora quando um adulto dependente necessite de cuidados. No presente estudo, a média de idade pode ser considerada baixa (38,9 anos) se comparado a outros estudos que relatam que os cuidadores pertencem à faixa etária superior a 55 anos (10)(11)(12) .…”