Abstract: ObjectiveTo explore the anxiety and depression in caregivers of patients in persist vegetative state and minimally conscious state, and discuss the related factors. MethodsFrom January, 2010 to December, 2014, 60 caregivers of 60 patients in persist vegetative state and minimally conscious state were assessed with Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). The sex, education level, relation to the patients and family income of the caregivers, and the age of the patients and number of the families of the patients were recorded, and analyzed with Logistic regression. Results55% caregivers were found in anxiety, and 48.4% in depression. The female caregivers (OR>6.870, P<0.05), the number of the family of the patients (OR<0.233, P<0.05) and age of the patients (OR<0.294, P<0.05) were independent factors associated with anxiety and depression. ConclusionThe caregivers of patients in persist vegetative state and minimally conscious state are troubled in anxiety and depression, especially the female, while age and the number of the families of patient may be important factors for it.

Key words: persist vegetative state, minimally conscious state, caregiver, anxiety, depression, related factors