md-medicaldata

Authors

Nikola Gavrilović

Dom zdravlja Subotica, Služba kućnog lečenja, Eugena Kumičića 4, 24000 Subotica, Republika Srbija

¹Institut of Medical Biochemistry, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia
²Neurology Clinic, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia
³Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade

 

UDK: : 616.89-008.441.44
616.895.4-07:364.4-056.242

The paper was received / Rad 01.03.2026.

Accepted / Rad prihvaćen: 27.03.2026.

 

Correspondence to:

Nikola Gavrilović
Dom zdravlja Subotica
Eugena Kumičića 4,
24000 Subotica, Republika Srbija
Tel: +381 64 156 8392
e-mail: gavrilovicnikola@yahoo.com

 

 

Sažetak

 

 

Uvod: Suicidalne misli među neformalnim negovateljima predstavljaju značajan javnozdravstveni problem zbog njihovog kontinuiranog fizičkog i emocionalnog opterećenja. Cilj: Proceniti učestalost suicidalnih misli među članovima porodice koji pružaju neformalnu negu pacijentima uključenim u Službu kućnog lečenja, korišćenjem devete stavke Patient Health Questionnaire-9 upitnika. Materijal i metode: Deskriptivno-analitička studija preseka sprovedena je na uzorku od 77 porodičnih negovatelja koji su dobrovoljno popunili PHQ‑9 upitnik tokom kontrolnog pregleda u Službi kućnog lečenja. Analizirana je zastupljenost suicidalnih misli i depresivnosti, kao i povezanost suicidalne ideacije sa osnovnim dijagnozama pacijenata (karcinom, demencija, stanje nakon cerebrovaskularnog incidenta). Rezultati: Suicidalne misli imalo je 23,4% negovatelja. Numerički najviši srednji skor upitnika zabeležen je u grupi negovatelja osoba sa demencijom (10,4 ± 6,5), a zatim u grupi pacijenata nakon moždanog udara (9,2 ± 6,2). Klinički značajna depresivnost najčešće je bila prisutna kod negovatelja osoba sa demencijom (50,0%). Zaključak: Dobijeni rezultati ukazuju da su neformalni negovatelji, posebno oni koji brinu o pacijentima sa demencijom, visoko rizična grupa za razvoj suicidalnih misli. Neophodna je sistematska procena mentalnog zdravlja i dostupnost psihološke podrške u okviru službi kućnog lečenja.

 

Ključne reči:

Neformalni negovatelji; Suicidalne misli; PHQ-9; Kućno lečenje; Demencija; Karcinom.

 

 

 

Abstract

 

Introduction: Suicidal thoughts among informal caregivers represent a significant public health concern due to their continuous physical and emotional strain. Aim: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of suicidal ideation among family members providing informal care for patients in home care services, using item 9 of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Material and methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted on a sample of 77 family caregivers who voluntarily completed the PHQ‑9 questionnaire during follow-up visits at the Home Care Service. The prevalence of suicidal thoughts and depression was analyzed, as well as the association of suicidal ideation with the patients' primary diagnoses (cancer, dementia, post-cerebrovascular incident condition). Results: Suicidal ideation was present in 23.4% of caregivers. The numerically highest mean questionnaire score was recorded in the group of caregivers for persons with dementia (10.4 ± 6.5), followed by the group of patients after a cerebrovascular incident (9.2 ± 6.2). Clinically significant depression was most frequently present among caregivers of persons with dementia (50.0%). Conclusion: The obtained results indicate that informal caregivers, especially those caring for patients with dementia, are a high-risk group for the development of suicidal thoughts. Systematic mental health assessment and the availability of psychological support within home care services are essential.

 

Key words:

Family Caregivers; Suicidal Ideation; PHQ-9; Home Care Services; Dementia; Neoplasms.

 

 

 

 

References:

1. del-Pino-Casado R, Priego-Cubero E, López-Martínez C, Orgeta V. Subjective caregiver burden and anxiety in informal caregivers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2021;16(3):e0247143.
2. Li Q, Loke AY. The nature of family caregivers’ burden in caring for patients with chronic illnesses: a meta-analysis. Int J Nurs Stud. 2020;110:103708.
3. Lee E, Son Y, Park M, Han CH. Risk factors for suicidal ideation among informal caregivers: a population-based study. BMC Psychiatry. 2022;22(1):456.
4. Molloy GJ, O'Donnell AT, O'Carroll A, Cronin H. Suicidal ideation in caregivers: prevalence and associated factors. Clin Gerontol. 2021;44(5):550-60.
5. Chen Y, Wu H, Tian Y, Zheng J, Wang J, Shi X, et al. Mental health outcomes in dementia caregivers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Psychogeriatr. 2023;35(2):120-34.
6. Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JBW, Löwe B. The PHQ-9: updated evidence of validity and utility in clinical assessment. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2020;66:7-15.
7. Gavrilović N, Momirović Stojković M, Budimski Soldat M. Application PHQ-9 Test and Evaluation of Mental Status in Student Population. In: 11th International Trakya Family Medicine Congress Proceedings Book. Edirne, Turkey; 2022. p. 186.
8. Santos RL, Gorenstein C, Andrade LHSG, Wong MCC, Lima MG, Ramos D, et al. Suicidal ideation and its correlates among family caregivers: a PHQ-9 item-level analysis. Aging Ment Health. 2021;25(9):1749-57.
9. Chen J, Xue Y, Lin Y, Lin X. Risk factors associated with suicidal ideation among cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Psychol. 2023;14:1287290.
10. Na PJ, Kim J, Kim W, Kim MH, Cho SJ, Lee JY, et al. PHQ-9 item 9–based screening for suicide risk: validation with the eC-SSRS. J Affect Disord. 2023;323:900-6.
11. O’Neill A, O’Connell H, McNamee P. Association between work status and depression in informal caregivers. Eur J Public Health. 2022;32(1):59-65.
12. Lavers G, Andriessen K, Krysinska K. Experiences and support needs of informal caregivers of individuals with suicidal ideation: a systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(9):5181
    

PDF: 02-Gavrilović N. et al MD-Medical Data 2026;18(1)-011-015.pdf