Factors Related to Depression among Caregivers Attending Post-Ischemic Stroke Patients

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Stroke is known as chronic disease, leading to disability which makes help from caregivers become necessary. Attending stroke patients possess certain challenges and burdens toward the caregivers. AIM: We aim to investigate risk factors related to depression among caregivers attending post-ischemic stroke. METHODS: Eighty-three caregivers and post-ischemic stroke patients were collected consecutively from the Neurology Department of Universitas Sumatera Utara Hospital, Medan, Indonesia. Linear regression was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Our multivariate study shows that patient’s age, caregiver’s gender, patient’s gender, and modified Barthel Index are associated with depression with adjusted R2 of 59.3%. CONCLUSION: Early detection and intervention should be addressed regularly for caregivers attending post-stroke patients.