Background/Purpose: People caring for patients with chronic illnesses, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, or osteoarthritis, may experience depression and anxiety due to the burdens of managing debilitating and disabling diseases. Our primary objective was to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression in caregivers of patients with SLE, RA, and OA.
Methods: Persons acting as the primary caregiver to patients with SLE, RA or OA were included in this study. Demographic data were collected. The hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), a 14-item rating scale with independent subscales for anxiety and depression, was administered to each patient. A score of 11 or higher indicated probable depression or anxiety.
Results: A total of 438 patients were included in this study. All patients included were acting as the caregiver of an individual with a rheumatic condition, with 182, 151, and 107 caring for patients with SLE, RA, and OA, respectively. The prevalence of probable depression among caregivers of patients with SLE, RA, and OA were 2.2 ± 10%, 0 ± 0%, and 1.9 ± 10%, respectively with a 95% CI. The prevalence of probable anxiety among caregivers of patients with SLE (17.58 ± 10%) was significantly higher than, RA and OA (9.93 ± 10% p = 0.05, and 8.57 ± 10% p = 0.04, respectively). Other variables, such as low income, presence of comorbid illnesses, or the number of hours per day spent caring for the patient were not found to be significant factors.
Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety among caregivers of patients with SLE were found to be significantly higher than those of OA and RA, implying that the illness of the patient they are caring for impacts their risk for anxiety. More studies are needed to determine risk factors for anxiety among caregivers of patients with SLE, and the impact this may have on patient care.
Disclosure:
A. K. Gutierrez-Rubio,
None;
G. Racaza,
None;
M. L. Dianongco,
None;
E. Penserga,
None.
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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/anxiety-in-caregivers-of-patients-with-chronic-rheumatic-conditions/