Citation

Rungwittayanuwat P, Phattharayuttawat S, Charoensak S. J. Med. Assoc. Thai. 2018; 101(1): S1-S6.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Medical Association of Thailand)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of, and the factors that are associated with, depression among primary caregivers of schizophrenic patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Psychiatric Outpatient Department [OPD], Siriraj Hospital, and collected data from one caregiver per patient. A total of 88 caregivers were enrolled. The instruments comprised of a questionnaire for caregivers, and a structured interview that assessed the diagnostic criteria of depression, which was based on the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview [MINI]-Thai version.

RESULTS: In the present study, the prevalence of depression among caregivers of schizophrenic patients was 11.4% (95% CI 6.3 to 19.7), comprised of major depressive episodes (4.5%) and dysthymia (6.8%). Insufficient monthly income (OR 5.11, 95% CI 1.20 to 21.64) and a medical problem of the caregiver (OR 16.07, 95% CI 1.93 to 133.51) were found to be statistically-significant results associated with caregivers' depression.

CONCLUSION: The caregivers of schizophrenic patients should be given empathy and be alerted to the risk of becoming depressed, especially in the cases of those caregivers who have a medical problem and an insufficient monthly income. © 2018, Medical Association of Thailand. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; cognition; Depression; suicide; female; male; Prevalence; alcoholism; depression; prevalence; aggression; schizophrenia; major depression; risk factor; alcohol abuse; major clinical study; questionnaire; dysthymia; middle aged; psychiatric diagnosis; caregiver; cross-sectional study; income; Article; structured interview; mathematical model; mini international neuropsychiatric interview; predictive value; Caregivers of schizophrenic patient