RIMS

Updated ed.On cover: April 2000 updat

Depression and anxiety in family caregivers of persons with dementia

Horst, H.E. van der [Promotor]Scheltens, P. [Promotor]Hout, H.P.J. van [Copromotor]Marwijk, H.W.J. van [Copromotor

Allografting and the T cell system : a multiparameter analysis of rejection in the rat

This thesis describes an experimental study of the T cell system in relation with allogeneic organ transplantation. The experiments were performed in rats. Inbred rat strains as well as congenic rat strains are readily available. These inbred strains enable transplantation in fixed donor-recipient combinations. Data obtained from one allografted animal can therefore directly be compared with data obtained from another animal. For a dissection of the T cell system of the rat in these type of studies specific antibodies were required directed against various subpopulations of the T cells. Since hardly any of such antibodies were available for the rat, the first part of this thesis describes the development of such antibodies, using the hybridoma technique. Since in the course of the alloreaction due to activation and differentiation the phenotypical expression of cells may change it was necessary to characterize the MCA's in regard to the surface antigen, which they recognize, the cells that carry these antigens and their function during T cell activation

Factors of resilience in informal caregivers of people with dementia from integrative international data analysis

Background/Aims: Although caring for a person with dementia can be stressful, some caregivers appear to experience few negative consequences to their well-being. This study aimed to examine what proportion of caregivers demonstrates resilience under different challenging circumstances and to identify factors related to their resilience. Methods: Baseline data from 4 studies from the Netherlands and UK among informal caregivers of people with dementia were harmonized and integrated. Caregiver resilience was defined as high levels of psychological well-being despite different types of high caregiving demands. Multivariate regression analyses identified factors significantly related to caregiver resilience. Results: The integrated data set included 15 harmonized variables with data from 1,048 caregivers facing a high care demand. The prevalence of resilience varied between 35 and 43%, depending on the demand for high care. Being a male caregiver, caring for a female, living apart from your relative, and low caregiver burden were positively related to caregiver resilience. Conclusion: Caregivers have the capacity to demonstrate resilience despite significant challenges. This study demonstrates how harmonization of data from multiple existing studies can be used to increase power and explore the consistency of findings. This contributes to a better understanding of which factors are likely to facilitate caregiver resilience and offers insights for developing services