Caregiver burden and depression among informal caregivers of HIV-infected individuals.
BACKGROUND
Few studies have examined the factors associated with depression in informal caregivers of HIV-infected persons.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between depression and caregiver burden among informal caregivers of HIV-infected individuals.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study using baseline data from an ongoing randomized trial of a supportive telephone intervention.


METHODS
One hundred seventy-six dyads of HIV patients and their informal caregiver.


METHODS
Depression was defined as a Beck Depression Inventory >10. A Caregiver Strain Index >6 identified informal caregivers with a high caregiver burden. We used logistic regression to identify characteristics that were associated with depression in the informal caregiver.


RESULTS
Informal caregivers were 42 years old (SD, 13), 53% female, 59% nonwhite, and 30% had education beyond high school. Forty-seven percent of informal caregivers were the patient's partner, 18% a friend, and 35% a family member. Twenty-seven percent of informal caregivers had a high caregiver burden, and 50% were depressed. We found significantly greater odds of informal caregiver depression with high caregiver burden (OR, 6.08; 95% CI, 2.40 to 15.4), informal caregiver medical comorbidity besides HIV (OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.09 to 4.92), spending all day together (OR, 3.92; 95% CI, 1.59 to 9.69), having to help others besides the HIV patient (OR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.14 to 5.74), and duration of the HIV patient's diagnosis (OR, 1.01 per month; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.01).


CONCLUSIONS
High caregiver burden was strongly associated with depression among HIV-infected individuals' informal caregivers, who themselves had difficult life circumstances. Informal caregivers of HIV patients may be in need of both mental health services and assistance in caregiving.
Pirraglia
Paul A
PA
Division of General Internal Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI 02903, USA. ppirraglia@lifespan.org
Bishop
Duane
D
Herman
Debra S
DS
Trisvan
Elizabeth
E
Lopez
Rosalie A
RA
Torgersen
Christopher S
CS
Van Hof
Ann Marie
AM
Anderson
Bradley J
BJ
Miller
Ivan
I
Stein
Michael D
MD
D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires