title: [Physical and psychological stress in a group of Italian caregivers: a new medical emergency? A pilot study].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  this study aimed to evaluate physical and psychological stress in a group of italian caregivers.
  
  
  METHODS
  20 subjects were enrolled in the study and divided into 2 groups: 10 healthy controls and 10 caregivers. Every subject underwent an cognitive, clinical and instrumental assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  the statistical analysis showed an increased presence of pathological alterations in caregivers group such as decreased ejection fraction, cognitive impairment and depressed mood.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the study shows the figure of a elderly caregiver, predominantly women, who spend many hours in patient care. The caregiver-type takes about four drugs a day and is not involved in screening programs offered by the health service for his age group. Results a high risk of social isolation, emotional fragility and an increased risk of cardiovascular events and cognitive impairment.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Sapienza, Università di Roma, Italia.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Servello
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiovascolari, Respiratorie, Nefrologiche, Anestesiologiche e Geriatriche, Sapienza, Università di Roma, Italia.
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Camellini
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiovascolari, Respiratorie, Nefrologiche, Anestesiologiche e Geriatriche, Sapienza, Università di Roma, Italia.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cicerchia
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiovascolari, Respiratorie, Nefrologiche, Anestesiologiche e Geriatriche, Sapienza, Università di Roma, Italia.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cerra
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiovascolari, Respiratorie, Nefrologiche, Anestesiologiche e Geriatriche, Sapienza, Università di Roma, Italia.
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Vigliotta
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiovascolari, Respiratorie, Nefrologiche, Anestesiologiche e Geriatriche, Sapienza, Università di Roma, Italia.
authors.forename: Achiropita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vulcano
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiovascolari, Respiratorie, Nefrologiche, Anestesiologiche e Geriatriche, Sapienza, Università di Roma, Italia.
authors.forename: Agnese
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giovannelli
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiovascolari, Respiratorie, Nefrologiche, Anestesiologiche e Geriatriche, Sapienza, Università di Roma, Italia.
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Scatozza
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Sapienza, Università di Roma, Italia.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Selan
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiovascolari, Respiratorie, Nefrologiche, Anestesiologiche e Geriatriche, Sapienza, Università di Roma, Italia.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Andreozzi
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiovascolari, Respiratorie, Nefrologiche, Anestesiologiche e Geriatriche, Sapienza, Università di Roma, Italia.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cacciafesta
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiovascolari, Respiratorie, Nefrologiche, Anestesiologiche e Geriatriche, Sapienza, Università di Roma, Italia.
authors.forename: Evaristo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ettorre
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires