Quality of life in implanted cardioverter defibrillator recipients: the impact of a device shock.
BACKGROUND
The success of the implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in prolonging the life of patients with arrhythmia suggests a need to assess quality of life (QOL), especially in those who receive an ICD shock.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare QOL in a group who received an ICD shock with a group who did not receive an ICD shock during the first year.


METHODS
Fifty-nine subjects, 42 men and 17 women with a mean age 63 years, completed the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36, Ferrans and Powers QOL Index, Profile of Mood States at implantation and 1 year, and the Brodsky ICD Questionnaire at 1 year.


RESULTS
Thirty-seven percent received an ICD shock. Those in the shock group had worse mental health ( P < or = .04) and vitality scores ( P < or = .03) on the Short Form-36, increased anxiety ( P < or = .015), fatigue ( P < or = .005), and psychologic distress ( P < or = .02), as measured by Profile of Mood States, compared with the no shock group at 1 year.


CONCLUSIONS
Shocked ICD recipients demonstrate mental health concerns.
Carroll
Diane L
DL
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Hamilton
Glenys A
GA
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000523:psychology*; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires