Long-term quality of life and uncertainty in patients living with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
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.
Flemme
Inger
I
School of Social and Health Sciences, Halmstad University, PO Box 823, S-301 18 Halmstad, Sweden.
Edvardsson
Nils
N
Hinic
Hansi
H
Jinhage
Britt-Marie
BM
Dalman
Margareta
M
Fridlund
Bengt
B
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