Investigating key factors that influence quality of life in implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients in the cardiac clinic at Groote Schuur Hospital

Abstract

International studies have demonstrated that Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs) can have a significant impact on the Quality of Life (QOL) of patients. This is often due to factors that cause considerable psychological distress and has not been investigated in South Africa before. This research study thus investigated factors that influence QOL in patients with ICDs who are followed up in the Cardiac Clinic at Groote Schuur Hospital. The objectives were to describe demographic, clinical, ICD and patient support characteristics; to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression; to assess QOL and to establish factors that influence depression, anxiety and QOL. The method involved a quantitative approach and a descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational design. All eligible patients with ICDs from the Cardiac Clinic were invited to participate. Participants completed a Demographic and Clinical Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the SF-36v2 Health Survey. A descriptive analysis of frequencies and summary statistics were done, followed by a regression, comparison and correlational analyses. A total of 70 patients (57 years mean, 65% male) participated in the study. The HADS mean score for anxiety was 6.50, SD 4.52 and for depression 4.96, SD 3.36. The SF-36v2 QOL Physical Component Summary (PCS) mean score was 43.83, SD 9.43 and the Mental Component Summary (MCS) was 47.81, SD 10.71. Factors associated with depression, anxiety and poor QOL included having more than 5 ICD shocks (appropriate or inappropriate). Patients who felt that the ICD influenced their lifestyle positively, was 10.46 times more like to have mental well-being. This study showed that patients with ICDs managed in the state sector, is a vulnerable population. They often live far from hospital, have a high unemployment rate and a poor income. The HADS revealed that 21.4% of the patients had depressive symptoms and 28.6% fulfilled criteria for anxiety. The SF-36v2 revealed that the QOL of patients with ICDs was significantly lower than the norm, with regard to their physical and mental well-being. The study highlights the need for psychological and social support of patients living with ICDs. Keywords: quality of life; implantable cardioverter defibrillator; sudden cardiac death; arrhythmia; anxiety; depression; HADS; SF36v2.