title: The effect of cardiac genetic testing on psychological well-being and illness perceptions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effects of positive cardiac genetic diagnoses, ICD discharges, and arrhythmias on measures of psychological well-being.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-eight adults with prior cardiac genetic testing were enrolled. Patient well-being was determined using the SF-36 (QoL), HADS-A and HADS-D (anxiety/depression), and IPQ-R (patients' perceptions of illness). Patients with positive and negative cardiac genetic test results were compared using non-parametric statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Genetic testing yielded 76% with a positive diagnosis and 29% reported an ICD shock. QoL assessments (n = 33) were within normal ranges (mean of 50) with the exceptions of general health (44.1 ± 12.2, p < 0.01) and bodily pain (55.1 ± 9.1, p < 0.01) domains, but only the bodily pain domain showed differences between those with positive and negative cardiac genetic test results. Subjects with ICD discharges had higher scores than those without shocks in consequential and emotional IPQR subscales as well as greater perceived risks of experiencing a serious cardiac event, developing additional symptoms, or limitations in daily activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Positive genetic results did not negatively impact patient well-being with the exception of the bodily pain domain of the SF-36.
authors.affiliation: Columbia University School of Nursing, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address: kth6@columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Kathleen T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Hickey
authors.affiliation: Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Robert R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Sciacca
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Electrophysiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Angelo B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Biviano
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Electrophysiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Whang
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Electrophysiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Jose M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Dizon
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Electrophysiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Garan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Wendy K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Arrhythmias; Cardiogenetics; ICDs; Illness perception questionniaire (IPQ-R); Quality of life (QoL)