[Caregiver burden in patients with Parkinson's disease]

Parkinson patients suffering from disease progression become increasingly dependent on personal care, which is mostly provided by female family members. Burden of care correlates with severity of motor impairment, neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms, behavioral abnormalities, autonomic nervous system disorders, impairment of micturition, sleep, and dependence. Caregiver burden also results from restrictions in time for personal matters, family, leisure and social activities, occupational limits, costs, lack of social support and impairment of sleep, depression, and emotional and other health problems of the carer (such as depression and anxiety). Caregivers at risk of caregiver burden need to be identified in time in order to provide information and adequate personal, psychological and financial support.