[The family function of patients on home oxygen therapy and their main caregivers]

We examined family APGAR scores in patients on home oxygen therapy (n = 101) and their main caregivers (n = 91), and compared them with those obtained from members of a seniors' club who were not on home oxygen therapy themselves, nor had any family members on home oxygen therapy. Furthermore, the relationship between the main caregivers recognition of the patients' mental state and the patients' CESD score was examined. Family APGAR scores for the main caregivers were significantly lower than those of the patients (p < 0.002), or the seniors' club members (p < 0.004). Since most the main caregivers were women, we compared family APGAR scores of the female main caregivers and the age-matched female members of the seniors' club, revealing that the satisfaction of the female main caregivers with the "adaptation" component of the APGAR score (the component dealing with support given when something troublesome happens), was significantly lower than that of the members of the seniors' club (p < 0.0001). The CESD of the patients whom the main caregivers recognized as depressed was significantly higher. Thus, we concluded that satisfaction of the main caregivers with family function who were family members was low, and that the role of the main caregivers is important in alleviating the depression of patients on home oxygen therapy.