IMPROVED APPRAISAL OF THE QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH AUTOMATIC IMPLANTABLE CARDIOVERTER-DEFIBRILLATOR - A PSYCHOMETRIC STUDY

Background: Patients with an implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD ) may experience a certain degree of suffering. A sample of 32 patient s was surveyed to determine the psychological benefit resulting from t his treatment. Methods: Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Invent ory and a shortened version of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality I nventory were used. A 10-item scale and a global index of quality of l ife were especially designed to assess cardioverter defibrillator tole rance and the effect of its implantation on patients' current well-bei ng. Results: Both quality of life index scores were negatively correla ted with anxiety and depression. Occurrence of shocks had no influence on psychological well-being. Conclusions: The questionnaires provided a simple and reliable measure of quality of life in ICD patients. Pri or to implantation, technical explanations should be accompanied by st ress management techniques adapted to the patients' psychological back ground.