Abstract: Objective To investigate the psychological status and mood disorders of the caregivers of patients with Alzheimer disease (AD).Methods Seventy-five caregivers mainly caregiving AD patients and sixty-five caregivers mainly caregiving non-AD patients were asked and assessed with Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA).Results The total scores, average scores, positive items, average scores of positive items, physical symptoms, obsession, interpersonal relation, depression, anxiety and hostility on SCL-90 of the caregivers caregiving AD patients were significantly higher than those caregiving non-AD patients ( P<0.05～0.01). The scores of HAMD and HAMA of caregivers caregiving AD patients were significantly higher than those caregiving non-AD patients ( P<0.01).Conclusion The mental health status of caregivers of AD patients is significantly lower than those of non-AD patients, and depression and anxiety are main mood disorders.

Key words: Alzheimer disease, caregiver, mental health