Caregiver rating bias in mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease: Impact of caregiver burden and depression on dyadic rating discrepancy across domains

Abstract

Background: Caregivers of individuals with dementia are biased in their rating of mental health measures o. The care receiver. This study examines caregiver burden and depression as predictors of this bias for mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease in different domains. Methods: The sample consisted of 202 persons: 60 with mild cognitive impairment, 41 with mild Alzheimer's disease, and 101 caregivers. Discrepancy scores were calculated by subtractin. The mean caregiver score fro. The respective mean patient score o. The following assessment instruments. The Geriatric Depression Scale, Apathy Evaluation Scale, Bayer-Activities of Daily Living Scale, and Quality of Life-AD scale. Caregiver burden and depression were assessed b. The Zarit Burden Interview an. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficients were low for apathy (0.38), daily functioning (0.38), and quality of life (0.30) and moderate for depression (0.49). These domains showed negative rating discrepancies, which indicates caregiver rating bias for all four domains. Regression analyses revealed that caregiver burden significantly contributed to explaining these discrepancies i. The domains apathy, daily functioning, and quality of life. Conclusion: Caregiver rating bias can be attributed to caregiver burden. When caregiver burden is present, data based on caregiver ratings should therefore be interpreted with caution. © 2013 International Psychogeriatric Association.