A comparison of anxiety, depression and quality of life between device shock and nonshock groups in implantable cardioverter defibrillator recipients

Abstract

Background: Using standardized scales, we assessed the point prevalence, the severity of anxiety and depressive disorders, and the quality of life (QOL) in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) recipients who received a device shock.

Methods: Forty research subjects with device shocks (Group 1) and 25 without shocks (Group 2) were interviewed after ICD implantation using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).

Results: The point prevalence of anxiety disorders was higher in Group 1 (37.5%) than in Group 2 (8%) (P=.009). Depressive symptoms scores were higher in Group 1 (4.75) than in Group 2 (2.24) (P=.04)), but the prevalence of depressive disorders or the anxiety scores were not significantly different. A positive correlation was found between the number of shocks and the depressive symptoms scores (P=.05, r=0.24); there was a negative correlation between the mental health subscore of the SF-36 and the number of shocks (r=-0.36, P=.003). The point prevalence of depressive disorders was higher in the group with congenital cardiac diseases (50%) than in the valvular (8%) and ischemic groups (23%) (P=.04), and the mental health composite summary score of the SF-36 was lower in this group (46.34) than in those with valvular and ischemic disease (56.09 and 52.61, respectively) (P=.03).

Conclusion: Exposure to shocks may lead to an increased risk of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Research subjects receiving a high number of shocks and research subjects with congenital cardiovascular diseases were at higher risk of depressive symptoms or at higher risk of poorer psychological aspects of QOL.