[Partners of patients with acute brain injury: anxiety and depression in the acute and sub-acute phase].

There are only few studies that deal with psychological distress in short-term carers of patients with acute brain injuries. We investigated the prevalence of anxiety and depression in partners (N=70) of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAB). Furthermore, we analysed the influence of injury-related, personal, and contextual factors on psychological distress. Partners were interviewed, on average, 40,3 days (SD=15,7, Range 12-85) after the patient's brain injury. They filled out the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Moderate to severe anxiety was prevalent in 30,0% of the partners, and 14,3% experienced significant depression. Partners of patients low in functional capacity exhibited a higher level of depression. Women were more distressed than men. Additional burden due to psychosocial background stress, acute care of the patient, and daily visits were associated with higher psychological distress.