Paper
Thursday, July 22, 2004
Depression as a Predictor of Quality of Life in Patients With Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
Sue A. Thomas, PhD, RN, FAAN, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA, Erika Friedmann, PhD, Organizational Systems and Adult Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA, Pia Inguito, MSN, RN, Doctoral Student, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA, and Frances J. Kelley, PhD, RN, FNP, School of Nursing & Health Studies, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.
| Learning Objective #1: Describe the relationship of depression and anxiety to quality of life in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators |
| Learning Objective #2: Discuss how age and length of time affects quality of life in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators |
Objective: This study was conducted to examine psychological status and quality of life of patient who received implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and the relationship of time since ICD implantation and age of patient to these variables. Design: A crossectional survey. Population, Sample, Setting, Years: In 1999 a convenience sample of patients (n=48)who had received ICDs within the past 10 years at an urban hospital. Variables Studied: Quality of life (QOL) as measured with Sickness Impact Profiles scale, Psychological Status including depression (BDI) and anxiety (STAI) as well as demographic characteristics and cardiovascular medical history Methods: After obtaining IRB approval, patients who had undergone ICD implantation were contacted by telephone and invited to participate by completing a series of questionnaires. If they agreed, a packet including a consent form for permission to view their medical records, letter describing the study, questionnaires, and a stamped addressed envelope was mailed. Findings: There was a positive relationship between degree of impairment in QOL and both depression and anxiety. Patients who had ICDs for longer were more depressed and had poorer QOL. Patients who were younger were more depressed, more anxious, and had poorer QOL. The combination of state anxiety, trait anxiety, depression, age, and time since ICD implant significantly predicted overall QOL and the psychosocial and physical dimensions of QOL explaining 55.5%, 54%, and 34.9% of the variance, respectively. Conclusion: ICDs have a negative impact on psychological status and QOL. Younger patients are at highest risk for psychological distress and poor QOL after ICD implantation. Nurses can provide necessary supportive care for ICD patients. Longitudinal research would facilitate determination of the trajectory of changes in psychological status and QOL over the duration of the ICD experience. Additional research will be required to determine which interventions are most effective to reduce distress in these patients.
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Back to 15th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004