Quality of life related to shocks in ICD-recipients : a 5-year follow-up

• Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe QoL in relation to shocks and uncertainty in ICD-recipients and to identify predictors of QoL over a 5-year period. Methods: The design was prospective and longitudinal. Thirty-five patients who had lived with the ICD for at least five years had taken part in the study. All recipients had received their ICD as a form of secondary prevention. The questionnaires Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale – community version (MUIS-C), Quality of Life Index – cardiac version (QLI-CV) were completed on three occasions: before implantation, at year 1 and at year 5 after implantation. Self-reported number of shocks between the implantation and year 1 and between year 1 and year 5 were described. Data were analyzed by descriptive as well as analytical statistics. Results: In general, QoL was lower at year 1 than before implantation (p = 0.033). A decrease in the socio-economic domain was observed at year 1 (p = 0.006) but improved again at year 5 (p = 0.027) although it remained below the value before implantation. ICD recipient’s satisfaction with the family domain decreased from the time before ICD implantation (p = < 0.001) and from year 1 (p = 0.039) to year 5 after implantation. A decrease in overall uncertainty was observed at year 5 in relation to year 1 (p = 0.009). The longer the ICD recipient had lived with the device, the greater the risk of receiving a shock. However, ICD recipients who received shocks reported being less troubled by them over time. Uncertainty was identified as a predictor of low QoL. Conclusion: The recipients reported a higher level of QoL at year 5 than at year 1. QoL was reasonably good 5 years after implantation and the ICD recipient felt more secure and perceived their ICD as a lifesaver.

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MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

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