| Publication Abstract Display |
| Type: Published Manuscript |
| Title: Effects of placement and bereavement on psychological well-being and cardiovascular risk in Alzheimers caregivers: a longitudinal analysis. |
| Authors: Mausbach BT |
| Year: 2007 |
| Publication: Journal of Psychosomatic Research |
| Volume: 62 Issue: 4 Pages: 439-45 |
| Abstract:OBJECTIVE: We examined the impact of Alzheimer caregiver transitions (i.e., placement and bereavement) on psychological outcomes and on plasma D-dimer levels, an end product of the coagulation cascade associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
METHODS: This was a prospective study in which 126 spousal caregivers of Alzheimer's patients were assessed each year for 5 years. We used random regression models to evaluate discontinuous change in our outcomes over time, with emphasis on the impact of caregiver transitions on psychological and physical well-being.
RESULTS: Caregivers experienced immediate improvement in overload and mastery following transitions, and these improvements were maintained over time. There was also a significant drop in depressive symptoms immediately following placement of spouses. D-dimer rose significantly over time but began to significantly decline at 6-months posttransitions.
CONCLUSIONS: Caregiver transitions appear to produce immediate and long-term "normalization" of psychological health in caregivers. This normalization also appears related to "downstream" reductions in D-dimer. |