title: Predictors of psychosocial adjustment in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators.
abstract: Predictors of psychological distress/adjustment were examined in 25 patients following placement of ICDs. Patients completed a demographic questionnaire and a standardized questionnaire of psychological symptoms (i.e., Symptom Checklist-90 Revised; SCL-90-R). The number of discharges categorized by the patient as inappropriate and appropriate were also ascertained. The number of ICD discharges categorized as inappropriate and diminished levels of physical activity (r = 0.53 and 0.63, P < 0.01, respectively) did significantly relate to overall psychological distress. In addition, after controlling for age and prior psychiatric and physical health status through a stepwise multiple regression analysis, the occurrence of ICD discharges categorized as inappropriate and diminished physical activity continued to significantly predict overall psychological distress (R2 = 0.41, P < 0.01). However, the number of ICD discharges categorized as appropriate did not significantly predict overall psychological distress. The results of this investigation suggest that further refinement of the ICD could reduce the risk of exposure to potential psychological distress, and an analysis of prior and anticipated patient physical activity levels should be a factor when calibrating minimum ICD discharge threshold levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Burgess
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Quigley
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moran
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Sutton
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goodman
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005544:Forecasting; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010551:Personality; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires