Qualidade de vida de cuidadores de idosos com doença de Alzheimer

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate quality of life among caregivers of elders with Alzheimer's disease and to examine the relationship between patients' quality of life score measured with the Katz Quality of Life Index and the relationship between the caregivers' quality of life measured with the SF-36 and depression score measured with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Methods: This study was conducted in a geriatric clinic (Núcleo de Envelhecimento Cerebral) of the São Paulo Hospital of the Federal University of São Paulo. The sample consisted of 118 patients with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers. Sociodemographic and cormobidity data and the Katz score of quality of life and the mini-mental status examination (MMSE) score of the patients with Alzheimer's disease were obtained through chart review. Data from caregivers comprised sociodemographic and comorbidity data and the SF-36 score of quality of life and the BDI score of depression. Results: SF-36 scores that were indicative of depression among caregivers were vitality (score = 56.8) and the scores on physical and emotional components were = 58.1, respectively. There was a significantly negative correlation between the caregivers' BDI score and the patients' Katz score, and between the caregivers' SF-36 and BDI scores. There was also a significantly positive correlation between the scores of the caregivers' SF-36 and the patients' Katz scores and between the patient's Katz and MMSE scores. Conclusion:The quality of life of caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease was compromised, which could influence the quality of care they provided to the patients. The quality of life of the caregivers got worse when the functional capacity of the elders with Alzheimer's disease was compromised. RESUMENObjetivo: Evaluar la calidad de vida de cuidadores de ancianos con enfermedad de Alzheimer y relacionarla al Índice de Katz de los pacientes y al escore del Inventario de Depresión de Beck de los cuidadores. Métodos: El estudio fue desarrollado en el Núcleo de Envejecimiento Cerebral de la Universidad Federal de Sao Paulo/ Hospital Sao Paulo. La muestra estuvo constituída, respectivamente, por 118 cuidadores y sus pacientes con enfermedad de Alzheimer (DA). Las informaciones recolectadas en las historias clínicas de los pacientes fueron sociodemográficas y mórbidas, Índice de Katz y Mini examen del estado mental (MEEM). Los datos del cuidador, obtenidos por cuestionarios, fueron el SF -36 y el Inventario de Depresión de Beck (IDB). Resultados: Los escores más comprometidos del SF -36 de los cuidadores fueron: vitalidad (56,8) y los físicos y emocionales con 58,1, respectivamente. Hubo correlación negativa entre el IDB del cuidador y el índice de Katz de los pacientes; entre el SF -36 y el IDB y las correlaciones positivas entre los escores del SF -36 e Índice de Katz y entre los dominios de este índice y los escores del MEEM. Conclusión: La calidad de vida de los cuidadores de pacientes con DA se mostró alterada, pudiendo comprometer los cuidados prestado...

Correlação entre qualidade de vida e morbidade do cuidador de idoso com acidente vascular encefálico

“…(19) , similar to the present study. The length of time as a caregiver illustrates the chronic character of the disease.…”

“…The observation that the caregivers were mostly middle-aged can be related to the fact that it is culturally implicit in Brazilian society that it falls to the children and spouses to care for the elderly (16) . The higher percentage of women as the main caregiver corroborates other national (11,14,(17)(18) and international (15) studies, both with caregivers of elderly stroke victims and caregivers of elderly people with Alzheimer's disease (19) . Women have historically played the role of the primary caregiver, even with their entrance into the labor market.…”

“…However, in a study with caregivers of elderly people with Alzheimer's disease the highest score was in the functional capacity domain (63.6) (19) . The social relationships domain evaluates aspects related to personal relationships, social support and sexual activity (13) .…”

“…In a study conducted in Sao Paulo with caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease a higher percentage (64.3%) was found (19) . In the majority of cases, the spouse took care of their companion, mainly motivated by a matrimonial obligation, the common life project and a commitment to be together in sickness and in health (20) .…”

“…In a study conducted in São Paulo with caregivers of elderly people with Alzheimer's disease using the SF-36 instrument, the lowest scores were in the physical (58.1) and social relationships (58.1) domains (19) . The environment domain covers aspects related to physical security, home environment, financial resources, leisure, physical environment, and transport (13) .…”