Anxiety predicts poor perceived health in patients with an implantable defibrillator.
BACKGROUND
Implantation with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) may cause psychological problems, including anxiety.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to determine whether general anxiety and disease-specific anxiety differentially predict poor perceived health in ICD patients.


RESULTS
Patient concerns about the ICD and feelings of disability were independently predicted by general as well as disease-specific anxiety. Clinical anxiety was predicted by general anxiety only, whereas cardiopulmonary symptoms were predicted by disease-specific anxiety.


CONCLUSIONS
Identifying and supporting ICD patients with various anxiety symptoms is important. Future research should examine the differential predictive value of different forms of anxiety toward medical endpoints as well as possible interventions for disease-related anxiety.
van den Broek
Krista C
KC
CoRPS (Center of Research on Psychology in Somatic Diseases), Department of Medical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands. C.C.L.T.vdnBroek@uvt.nl
Nyklícek
Ivan
I
Denollet
Johan
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000523:psychology*; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life