Prolonged grief and depression in caregivers of patients in vegetative state

Abstract

Primary objective: Several studies have shown that the symptoms of grief are different from symptoms of depression among bereaved family members. The present study is an attempt to replicate these findings among caregivers of patients in a vegetative state.

Methods and procedures: Forty-five caregivers of 41 patients in vegetative or minimally conscious state in-hospital for long-term care. The questionnaire Prolonged Grief 12 (PG-12) assessed the presence of Prolonged Grief Disorder; the Depression Questionnaire (DQ) assessed the presence of a clinically significant depressive state.

Main outcomes and results: Three conditions of psychiatric illness emerged: Prolonged Grief Disorder only (n = 9; 20%), depression only (n = 7; 15.5%) and Prolonged Grief Disorder together with depression (n = 7; 15.5%). There was no association (V = 0.203) between diagnosis of Prolonged Grief Disorder and the presence of a clinically significant depressive state. Caregiver's syndromal-level grief was associated with patients’ young age (p = 0.028) and with younger age of caregiver (p = 0.029). Caregiver's syndromal-level depression was associated with less time from the event (p = 0.003).

Conclusions: Caregiver's grief symptoms are distinct from their depressive symptoms among family members and each disorder has distinct risk factors.

• Prolonged grief disorder
• caregiver
• vegetative state

Acknowledgement

Thanks to Dr Paola Perziano, Sant’Anna di Crotone Institute, Crotone (Kr), Italy.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.