title: Long-term quality of life and uncertainty in patients living with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study describes the quality of life (QOL) and uncertainty in patients who have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and predicts QOL at long-term follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Long-term follow-up was defined as 6.9 years +/- 1 year (range 4.11-8.7 years). QOL was measured with the Quality of Life Index, and uncertainty was measured with the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall QOL and health/functioning were unchanged over time. QOL in the socioeconomic (P = .002) and psychologic/spiritual domains (P = .012) decreased in the first year. From baseline to long-term follow-up, the QOL in the family domain (P = .011) and uncertainty (P = .002) decreased. Uncertainty was a predictor of low QOL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  QOL was reasonably good 6.9 years post-ICD implantation. Patients felt less uncertain once they had passed the first year of their illness.
authors.affiliation: School of Social and Health Sciences, Halmstad University, PO Box 823, S-301 18 Halmstad, Sweden.
authors.forename: Inger
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Flemme
authors.forename: Nils
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Edvardsson
authors.forename: Hansi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hinic
authors.forename: Britt-Marie
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Jinhage
authors.forename: Margareta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dalman
authors.forename: Bengt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fridlund
mesh_terms: D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D035501:Uncertainty