title: [Characteristics and factors associated with dementia caregivers burden].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the characteristics and determining factors of carer stress in a group of elderly home care patients with dementia evaluated in a Geriatric Assessment Unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using an assessment of baseline characteristics of patients and carers. Estimation of caregiver burden was registered by validated scales: Goldberg Anxiety Scale (GAS), Goldberg Depression Scales (GDS), and Zarit Burden Scale (ZS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 130 patients were included. No item related to dementia patients was associated with caregiver burden. A poor perception of health and quality of life by the caregivers were associated with anxiety risk, depression and burden. Attendance rates for primary care and lack of paid work outside the home were associated with both, depression (GDS>2) and anxiety (GAS>4). Carer age and a lower education were related to depression. Anti-inflammatory, anxiolytics and antidepressants consumption was associated with anxiety, and anti-inflammatory consumption with caregiver burden (ZS >47).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The profile of carers in our sample is comparable to that described in other national studies, but care time is longer. The target population is difficult to identify and in need of help. Although there is not a formal demand for help, we should be encouraged to develop new healthcare methods.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Geriatría, Hospital General de Granollers, Barcelona, España. Electronic address: edugeriatra@msn.com.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Delgado Parada
authors.affiliation: Área de Investigación Clínica, Servicio de Salud del Principado de Asturias (SESPA), Oviedo, España.
authors.forename: Óscar
authors.initials: Ó
authors.lastname: Suárez Alvarez
authors.affiliation: Medicina de Familia y Comunitaria, Hospital de Jarrio, Área Sanitaria I, Coaña, Asturias.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Dios del Valle
authors.affiliation: Medicina de Familia y Comunitaria, Hospital de Jarrio, Área Sanitaria I, Coaña, Asturias.
authors.forename: Ineyvis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Valdespino Páez
authors.affiliation: Medicina de Familia y Comunitaria, Hospital de Jarrio, Área Sanitaria I, Coaña, Asturias.
authors.forename: Yolanda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sousa Ávila
authors.affiliation: Medicina de Familia y Comunitaria, Hospital de Jarrio, Área Sanitaria I, Coaña, Asturias.
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Braña Fernández
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Anciano; Caregiver burden; Demencia; Dementia; Elderly; Sobrecarga cuidador