The relationship between psychological burden and providing assistance with taking medication among caregivers of patients with dementia: a cross-sectional study.
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objectives: Previous studies have examined the psychological burden of caregivers of patients with dementia. However, although many caregivers struggle to assist patients with dementia with medication management, the relationship between assisting such patients with taking their medicines and the caregiver psychological burden is understudied. Therefore, this study identified the association between caregivers' psychological burden and assisting patients with dementia with taking medication.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among caregivers of patients with dementia in Japan. The survey questionnaire included questions that assessed the symptoms of patients with dementia, their status of taking medication through medication assistance from caregivers, and caregivers' psychological burden using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale and the Japanese version of the Perceived Stress Scale.
Key findings: A total of 57 caregivers participated in the study. Higher Kessler Psychological Distress Scale scores were significantly associated with unsuccessful assistance with taking regular medication (β = 0.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.23-12.0, P < .05), depressive symptoms (β = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.10-8.53, P < .05), and irritability (β = 0.38, 95% CI: 2.71-11.5, P < .05). Likewise, higher scores on the Japanese version of the Perceived Stress Scale were significantly associated with irritability (β = 0.37, 95% CI: 1.87-12.5, P < .05) among patients with dementia.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that caregiver psychological burden is associated with unsuccessful assistance with taking regular medication for patients with dementia.
期刊介绍:
The International Journal of Pharmacy Practice (IJPP) is a Medline-indexed, peer reviewed, international journal. It is one of the leading journals publishing health services research in the context of pharmacy, pharmaceutical care, medicines and medicines management. Regular sections in the journal include, editorials, literature reviews, original research, personal opinion and short communications. Topics covered include: medicines utilisation, medicine management, medicines distribution, supply and administration, pharmaceutical services, professional and patient/lay perspectives, public health (including, e.g. health promotion, needs assessment, health protection) evidence based practice, pharmacy education. Methods include both evaluative and exploratory work including, randomised controlled trials, surveys, epidemiological approaches, case studies, observational studies, and qualitative methods such as interviews and focus groups. Application of methods drawn from other disciplines e.g. psychology, health economics, morbidity are especially welcome as are developments of new methodologies.