title: [The family burden in chronic diseases. The study of validity and reproducibility of the questionnaire on the impact of the chronic disease on the family (IMPAT)].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The "Questionario sull'Impatto della Malattia Cronica sulla Famiglia" (IMPAT) ("Impact-on-Family Scale", by Stein & Reissman) in its Italian version (by Casari & Fantino, modified) has been used to evaluate family burden in relatives of chronic patients with cancer, chronic patients with other internistic pathology and acute patients. The aims of the study were to evaluate validity and reliability of the Impat and to compare family burden and anxoius/depressive symptoms in the three groups of relatives.
  
  
  METHODS
  35 relatives of cancer patients, 20 relatives of patients with chronic, non neoplastic illness and 20 relatives of acute patients were studied. 85% of relatives of cancer patients was assisted continuously by volunteers and psychiatrists with regard to their psychological problems. Impat questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were used for psychological evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Validity of the Impat was confirmed. Mean scores from relatives of chronic patients were higher than scores from relatives of acute patients (ANOVA, f = 38.0; df = 2,72; p < 0.0001). Test-retest analysis was satisfactory (Person's test, N = 20 r = 0.77, p < 0.0001). Both groups of relatives of chronic patients showed higher level of anxious-depressive symptoms compared to relatives of acute subjects. No differences were found between relatives of neoplastic and non neoplastic chronic patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The italian version of Impat has been confirmed as a useful and simple means of evaluation of family burden in this context. Psychosocial support seems to reduce distress in relatives of cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Clinica Psichiatrica, Università degli Studi-Cagliari.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Carpiniello
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baita
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Pariante
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Orrù
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ruvinetti
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rudas
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
vernacular_title: I1 carico familiare nelle malattie croniche. Studio di validazione e di riproducibilità del questionario sull'impatto della malattia cronica sulla famiglia (IMPAT).