title: The mental health and quality of life of adult patients with congenital heart disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The quality of life (QoL) of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) has gained significant interest. In addition to medical problems, many patients with CHD face psychosocial, educational, and behavioral challenges. However, few studies have examined the relationship between disease severity and QoL in adults with CHD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-five patients (50 men, 35 women) aged 20-52 years (median, 26.5 years) were enrolled. Patients underwent a QoL, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) survey. The scores were compared with those of age- and gender-matched population data according to the degree of underlying CHD. Disease severity was classified in relation to initial diagnosis, illness course, and current functional status (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class, ability index, CHD functional index, ventricular ejection fraction, and peak VO2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant correlation between disease severity and current functional status assessed by BDI and BAI. Patients who stated that they were religious had better scores for resilience (p=0.031), physical QoL (p=0.008), and environmental QoL (p=0.025). Environmental QoL scores were higher in patients who fully understood their disease (p=0.004). Current NYHA functional class was associated with scores for psychological resilience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CHD severity had a detrimental impact on resilience only when measured in terms of poor functional status. The initial diagnosis and course of the illness influence QoL and perceived health. Good psychosocial adaptation could be the result of close family relationships and involvement, making mental adjustment easier.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-744, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Seok
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.forename: Seongwoo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jo
authors.forename: Gi Beom
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Bo Sang
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Eun Jung
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Chung Il
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Noh
authors.forename: Jung Yun
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adult congenital heart disease; Anxiety; Depression; Quality of life