Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government

VA Health Systems Research

Go to the VA ORD website
Go to the QUERI website

HSR&D Citation Abstract

Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title

Onset, timing and risk for depression and anxiety in family caregivers to heart transplant recipients.

Dew MA, Myaskovsky L, DiMartini AF, Switzer GE, Schulberg HC, Kormos RL. Onset, timing and risk for depression and anxiety in family caregivers to heart transplant recipients. Psychological medicine. 2004 Aug 1; 34(6):1065-82.

Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects.

If you have VA-Intranet access, click here for more information vaww.hsrd.research.va.gov/dimensions/

VA staff not currently on the VA network can access Dimensions by registering for an account using their VA email address.
   Search Dimensions for VA for this citation
* Don't have VA-internal network access or a VA email address? Try searching the free-to-the-public version of Dimensions



Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Family members adopt key caregiving roles in the maintenance of transplant recipients' health. While the bulk of the caregiving literature suggests that rates of psychiatric disorder should be high in these caregivers, the potential benefits of transplantation may instead lead to less distress than in other caregiving situations. We examined prevalence and risk factors for depressive and anxiety-related disorders in caregivers throughout 3 years after their family member's heart transplant. METHOD: A total of 190 caregivers (97% of eligible respondents) were enrolled. They received psychiatric and psychosocial evaluations at 2, 7, 12 and 36 months post-transplant. Survival analysis determined cumulative rates of psychiatric disorders and the impact of potential risk factors. RESULTS: Rates of depressive and anxiety-related disorders met or exceeded other caregiver populations' rates. By 3 years post-transplant, cumulative onset rates were: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), 31.6%, Adjustment disorders, 35.4% (29.4 % with anxious mood); Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder related to the transplant (PTSD-T), 22.5%, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, 7.3%, and any assessed disorder, 56.3%. PTSD-T occurred primarily during the first year post-transplant. Other disorders' rates increased over the entire study period. Risk for disorder was elevated by positive lifetime history of psychiatric disorder, greater post-transplant caregiving responsibilities, and a poorer relationship with the patient. Risk for MDD was further increased by caregiver unemployment, and risk for anxiety disorders was further increased by younger age, low sense of personal mastery, and high use of avoidance coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Transplantation is associated with costs and benefits for not only patients but family caregivers. Caregivers' risk for psychiatric illness should be considered when developing interventions to promote families' long-term adjustment to the transplant process.





Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.