Resumen

CAMARGOS, Einstein Francisco et al. Use of psychotropic medications by caregivers of elderly patients with dementia: is this a sign of caregiver burden?. Arq. Neuro-Psiquiatr. [online]. 2012, vol.70, n.3, pp. 169-174. ISSN 0004-282X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0004-282X2012000300003.

This study evaluated the consumption of psychotropic medications by caregivers of elderly patients with or without dementia. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at all geriatric units in Brasília, Brazil, during a two-month period. Structured interviews were performed with 311 caregivers of people with or without dementia and they completed questionnaires. Among the caregivers, 196 (63%) were caregivers of patients with dementia and 115 (37%) were caregivers of patients without dementia. Forty-four caregivers (14.1%) were taking psychotropic drugs (benzodiazepines or antidepressants), and this usage was more frequent among caregivers of patients with dementia (p<0.01). Twenty-two caregivers of patients with dementia (11.4%) had used sleeping pills after beginning care, compared with only five (4.3%) caregivers of patients without dementia (p<0.01). In conclusion, this study found that caregivers of patients with dementia took psychotropic drugs (benzodiazepines and antidepressants) more frequently than the ones of patients without dementia.

Palabras llave : psychotropic drugs; aged; caregiver; dementia.