Clinical and Demographic Predictors of Adverse Outcomes in Caregivers of Patients with Dementia

초록

Background and Purpose: We aimed to elucidate independent predictors of adverseoutcomes in caregivers of patients with dementia using readily available clinical anddemographic data of patients with dementia and their caregivers. Methods: We reviewed patient-caregiver data from the Clinical Research Center for Dementiaof South Korea and Caregivers of Alzheimer Disease Research study. The clinical factorsof the patients and the demographics of both patients and caregivers were used to predictadverse outcomes for caregivers. Correlation and linear regression analyses were performed. Results: We enrolled 454 patients and their caregivers for the present study. The generalburden for the caregiver was higher amongst female caregivers, patients with furtherdecreased the level of activities of daily living (ADL), patients with more abnormal behavior,or younger patients. The time spent by the caregivers was more in cases of patients withhigher Caregiver Administered Neuropsychiatric Inventory scores, younger patients and forpatients with decreased level of ADL. Depression amongst caregivers was more prominent inpatients with higher Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes scores. Physical health-relatedquality of life (HRQoL) was lower in female caregivers, more physically affected patients, andolder caregivers. Lastly, mental HRQoL was lower in younger, more physically affected, and inpatients with abnormal behaviors. Conclusions: Clinical and demographic characteristics of patients and caregivers predictadverse outcomes for caregivers. Therefore, these factors should be considered to providesupport to both patients and their caregivers.

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