Factors underlying caregiver stress in frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
BACKGROUND
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) has devastating effects on patients and caregivers, yet the factors underlying caregiver stress are poorly understood.


METHODS
108 caregivers (79 = FTD, 29 = Alzheimer's disease) participated in a postal survey. Self-report measures of perceived stress, depression, social networks, as well as patient-based measures of behaviour change and activities of daily living were completed.


RESULTS
Depression was a cardinal feature in FTD caregivers, and it accounted for more than 58% of stress scores. Both depression and stress were significantly higher than in AD. Neither the severity of behaviour changes nor functional disability explained caregiver stress.


CONCLUSIONS
Caregiver stress is a multidimensional construct, and FTD caregivers should receive more support than currently available. Depression plays a key role in coping ability.
Mioshi
Eneida
E
Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute, N.S.W., Australia.
Bristow
Matt
M
Cook
Rachel
R
Hodges
John R
JR
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D001519:Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*