Prevalence and Associated Factors of Depressive Disorder in Caregivers of Individuals With Parkinson Disease

Parkinson disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease. Caring for an individual with PD can have a variety of negative physical and psychological effects on caregivers which may challenge their ability to continue in their caretaking role. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depressive disorders in caregivers of individuals with PD using standardized instruments.

This study used a cross-sectional design with consecutive sampling. Study participants were recruited from the neurological ward or neurological outpatient clinic of a medical center from August 2018 to July 2019. Caregivers of persons with PD were enrolled and assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Beck Hopelessness Scale, Brief Fatigue Inventory, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and Big Five Inventory-10.

Of the 162 caregivers that completed the study, 67.3% (n = 109) were females. The most common psychiatric diagnosis was depressive disorder (11.1%), followed by insomnia disorder (7.4%) and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified (4.3%); 28% of the caregivers had a psychiatric diagnosis. Using logistic regression analysis, it was found that duration of caregiving (odds ratio [OR] = 1.28; 95% CI, 1.05-1.58), severity of anxiety (OR = 1.86; 95% CI, 1.36-2.53), and severity of fatigue (OR = 1.08; 95% CI, 1.01-1.16) were 3 significant associated factors for the development of depression.

Depression was the most prevalent psychiatric diagnosis in caregivers of people with PD. Early diagnosis of these caregivers is crucial to the offering of suitable support and treatment and might improve caregivers’ quality of life.