The aetiology of depression in the carers of dementia sufferers.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the associations of depression in the carers of dementia sufferers, diagnosed on the basis of a semistructured interview.


METHODS
Case control study.


METHODS
Referrals to clinical services.


METHODS
The informal carers of 109 dementia sufferers, 32 with depression and 77 without.


METHODS
Carers were interviewed using the Geriatric Mental State Schedule. The diagnosis of depression was made according to Research Diagnostic Criteria. Instruments used to assess associations included Carers' Stress Scale, Marital Intimacy Scale, Cornell Depression Scale and CAMCOG Schedule.


RESULTS
Only increasing age was significantly associated with depression in the overall group of carers. The severity of cognitive impairment was significantly associated with depression in carers who lived with a dementia sufferer and a low level of premorbid marital intimacy was significantly associated with depression amongst carers who were marital partners.


CONCLUSIONS
Few factors are clearly associated with depression in the carers of dementia sufferers. The pattern of associations was, however, different for carers in different situations.
Ballard
C G
CG
University of Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth Psychiatric Hospital, UK.
Saad
K
K
Coope
B
B
Graham
C
C
Gahir
M
M
Wilcock
G K
GK
Oyebode
F
F
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support