Prevalence and comorbidity of prolonged grief disorder in a sample of caregivers of patients in a vegetative state.

Previous studies have shown that Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD), Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and major depression are autonomous nosological entities. The present study aims at further analyzing the relationship among them in a sample of caregivers of patients in Vegetative State (VS) or Minimally Conscious State (MCS). We also investigated factors predicting the development of PGD.

Prolonged grief and depression in caregivers of patients in vegetative state.

Primary Objective: Several studies have shown that the symptoms of grief are different from symptoms of depression among bereaved family members. The present study is an attempt to replicate these findings among caregivers of patients in a vegetative state.

Methods And Procedures: Forty-five caregivers of 41 patients in vegetative or minimally conscious state in-hospital for long-term care.