Longitudinal Associations between Depression, Daytime Sleepiness, and Caregiver Strain in Parkinson's Disease.

OBJECTIVE

Examine the longitudinal relationship between caregiver strain and Parkinson's patient depression, daytime sleepiness, and treatment with dopamine agonists and antidepressants.

BACKGROUND

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder, in which family caregivers play an integral role in patient care. Depression and daytime sleepiness in PD patients have been shown to influence caregiver strain.

METHODS

This study was a longitudinal analysis of PD patient sleep and depression measures, and a measure of caregiver strain. Strain scores were modeled as a function of: accumulated time between visits, PD patient depression and sleep scores, and their interactions with time.

RESULTS

Caregiver strain increased over time, with patient depression and daytime sleepiness positively associated with greater caregiver strain.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient depressive symptoms consistently predicted caregiver strain, highlighting the central role of patient depression in caregiver well-being. Routine caregiver evaluations during patient visits facilitate timely interventions that benefit patients and caregivers.