Determinants of informal care time, distress, depression, and quality of life in care partners along the trajectory of Alzheimer's disease.

INTRODUCTION

We evaluated determinants associated with care partner outcomes along the Alzheimer's disease (AD) stages.

METHODS

We included n = 270 care partners of amyloid-positive patients in the pre-dementia and dementia stages of AD. Using linear regression analysis, we examined determinants of four care partner outcomes: informal care time, caregiver distress, depression, and quality of life (QoL).

RESULTS

More behavioral symptoms and functional impairment in patients were associated with more informal care time and depressive symptoms in care partners. More behavioral symptoms were related with more caregiver distress. Spouse care partners spent more time on informal care and QoL was lower in female care partners. Behavioral problems and subtle functional impairment of the patient predisposed for worse care partner outcomes already in the pre-dementia stages.

DISCUSSION: Both patient and care partner determinants contribute to the care partner outcomes, already in early disease stages. This study provides red flags for high care partner burden.