Alzheimer's disease (AD) burdens patients and caregivers psychologically and emotionally. Identifying factors influencing caregivers’ emotional symptoms is crucial for their mental health.
Objective
This study investigated the prevalence of depressive/anxiety symptoms among AD caregivers and identified key influencing factors.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted from 2021 to 2023, involving 169 dyads of AD patients and their primary caregivers. Caregivers were assessed for depressive symptoms (HAMD >7) and anxiety symptoms (HAMA >6), quality of life (QoL), and dementia-related knowledge. Patients were evaluated for neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive function. Multivariable logistic regression and Spearman correlation analyses were used to identify key influencing factors.
Results
Among 169 caregivers (mean age 56.97 ± 14.19 years, 62.13% female), depressive and anxiety symptom incidence was 24.85% and 25.44% (comorbidity 13.6%). Better dementia knowledge (“Risk/Health Promotion": OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.67–0.93; “Care Precautions": OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.69–0.95) was protective against caregiver depressive symptoms, while patient anxiety symptoms (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01–1.17) and sleep/night problems (OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.05–1.24) increased risk. Increased caregiver age was protective against caregiver anxiety symptoms (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.9–0.97), but patient anxiety symptoms (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03–1.18) and caregivers’ lower QoL (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01–1.19) were risk factors. Furthermore, caregivers’ HAMD scores were negatively correlated with dementia knowledge.
Conclusions
Depressive/anxiety symptoms are common in AD caregivers, influenced by patient anxiety, sleep issues, caregiver age, QoL, and dementia knowledge. Targeted interventions to support caregiver mental health and knowledge are crucial.
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