title: Depression and anxiety in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: correlations between the distress of patients and caregivers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Depression and anxiety are common in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and caregivers.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study we investigated 93 ALS patients and their 93 caregivers. Depression and anxiety were quantified by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Very strong correlations between depression and anxiety were found among patients and their caregivers. The severity of depression and anxiety of patients correlated moderately with that of their caregivers. No correlations were found between the severity of depression and anxiety and ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) score or for disease duration among patients and caregivers. However, severity of depression and anxiety in caregivers correlated with their age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Depression and anxiety in ALS patients and their caregivers were associated closely with each other but not with physical disability or disease duration in our Chinese population.
authors: Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
authors: Dezhi
authors: D
authors: Chen
authors: Xiaoyan
authors: X
authors: Guo
authors: Zhenzhen
authors: Z
authors: Zheng
authors: Qianqian
authors: Q
authors: Wei
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Song
authors: Bei
authors: B
authors: Cao
authors: Rui
authors: R
authors: Huang
authors: Rong
authors: R
authors: Yang
authors: Huifang
authors: H
authors: Shang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale; Hamilton Depression Rating Scale; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; anxiety; caregiver; depression