Depression among Caregivers of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Objective: To investigate depression among caregivers of elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Design: Cross sectional study. Subjects: Seventeen pairs of family caregivers and outpatients with COPD at Kyushu University Hospital in July 2002. Methods: Caregivers answered a self-administered questionnaire about various factors that might affect their depression, and also completed a Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale evaluation (CESD). Results: Seven (41%) of 17 caregivers were depressed. Compared with non-depressed caregivers, depressed caregivers spent more money for public long-term care insurance (LTCI) services for their patients as well as for non-LTCI services caring for their patients. Conclusion: More inexpensive services for COPD patients and family caregivers should be provided.