Sestre Milosrdnice University hospital and Institute of Clinical Medical Research
Abstract
Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder, which affects 30 million people worldwide. With aging of the population, it is becoming an increasing problem in Croatia. Alzheimer’s dementia represents not only problem for the patient but affects the patients’ caregivers as well. Caring for a patient with AD carries a significant physical, socioeconomic and psychological burden. Previous
studies have shown an increased risk of physical and psychiatric illness. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence and intensity of anxious and depressive symptoms in caregivers of AD patients treated at Vrapče University Psychiatric Hospital in Zagreb. The study included 30 caregivers of AD patients. Participants were included consecutively, during July and August 2010. The Croatian version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess the level of anxiety and depression in study participants. The mean level of anxiety and depression as measured by HADS was 10.46}4.26 and 8.03}4.08, respectively. A pathologic level of anxiety was found in 14 (46.7%) and pathologic level of depression as measured by HADS in 8 (26.7%) caregivers. This study showed that not only appropriate treatment of AD patients is necessary, but AD patient caregivers should also be provided due care and support.Alzheimerova demencija (AD) je najčešći neurodegenerativni poremećaj koji zahvaća više od 30 milijuna ljudi u svijetu, a starenjem populacije postaje rastući problem i u Hrvatskoj. Alzheimerova demencija ne predstavlja problem samo oboljelima, već i njegovateljima također. Briga o bolesnicima s AD predstavlja značajan fizički, socioekonomski i psihološki teret. Prethodna istraživanja su pokazala povećan rizik od fizičkih i psihičkih bolesti. Cij našega istraživanja bio je procijeniti učestalost i težinu anksioznih i depresivnih simptoma kod njegovatelja bolesnika s AD u Klinici za psihijatriju Vrapče u Zagrebu. Istraživanje je uključilo 30 njegovatelja bolesnika s AD. Sudionici istraživanja su uključeni tijekom srpnja i kolovoza 2010. g. Hrvatska verzija Hospital and Depression Scale (HADS) je korištena za procjenu anksioznosti i depresije. Prosječne razine anksioznosti i depresije bile su 10,46}4,26 i 8,03}4,08. Patološka razina anksioznosti je nađena kod 14 (46,7%) njegovatelja, a patološka razina depresije kod 8 (26,7%) njegovatelja. Ova studija pokazuje da je uz odgovarajuću terapiju bolesnika s AD potrebna i primjerena briga i potpora njegovateljima
