Introduction

A neuromusculoskeletal disease not only affects the person who suffers it but also directly affects the family and in particular with the informal primary caregiver. Care work increases the psychological morbidity and stress of primary caregivers. The aim of the present study was to identify the relationship between overload and the rate of depression present in informal primary caregivers of patients with the neuromusculoskeletal disease.

Methods

An exploratory study was carried out that included 18 informal primary caregivers of patients with the neuromusculoskeletal disease, and who attended a consultation at the University Rehabilitation Unit of the Autonomous University of Yucatan.

Results

Among the sociodemographic characteristics, female caregivers prevailed (83%) with a family relationship with the patient. Also, primary married status and a bachelor’s degree level predominated among primary caregivers. The relationship between overload and depression index was high and significant (r = 0.72, p = 0.0007). In conclusion, these results suggest that the greater the overload produced by the tasks of care, the greater the degree of involvement in the state of the informal primary caregiver. This study will help in the development of an intervention program to prevent overload in informal primary caregivers.

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