Korean J Rehabil Nurs.  2007 Dec;10(2):90-98.

Depression and Quality of Life among Family Caregivers of Patients with Parkinson's Disease in South Korea

• Kim KS
• Choe MA
• Hah YS
• Yi M
• Kim BJ
• Kim SR
• Kim KH
• Kwon SH
• Hwang Y

Abstract

ression and quality of life of family caregivers of patients with Parkinson's disease(PD).
METHODS
A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in one neurology outpatient clinic in Seoul, Korea from March to June, 2006. Sixty eight family caregivers of PD patients were participated to the study, using CES-D and SF-36.
RESULTS
Mean scores of depression were 16.18+/-8.39 (range: 0-48) and it was a little lower than caregiver's who took care of Dementia patients and were higher than primary caregivers of the patients with Stroke. Time for caregiving, perceived severity, duration of PD were significantly related with depression respectively. Higher ADL scores which mean greater motor disabilities were related to higher caregiver depression. Lower income and greater medical expenditure were closely related with the depression of family caregivers respectively. The mean scores of total QOL were 435.5+/-96.5 and the mean scores of PF, SF, RE and MH were lower than general population. Time for caregiving, depression, patients' ADL scores were significantly associated with QOL respectively. People who were older and had lower educational background showed lower QOL scores respectively.
CONCLUSION
Healthcare professionals should pay more attention to emotional aspects of caregivers who take care of PD patients, and develop comprehensive management strategies both for patients and their caregivers.

Keyword

Parkinson disease; Depression; Quality of life; Caregivers

MeSH Terms

Activities of Daily Living
Ambulatory Care Facilities
Caregivers*
Delivery of Health Care
Dementia
Depression*
Health Expenditures
Humans
Korea*
Neurology
Parkinson Disease*
Quality of Life*
Seoul
Stroke