Psychosocial adjustment and quality of life of adolescents and adults with congenital heart disease

Abstract

The incidence of people living with congenital heart disease (CHD) has been increasing every year owing to remarkable advances in surgical and catheter intervention techniques and devices, and improved knowledge of critical care for patients with CHD. However, these patients continue to face physical, psychosocial, and environmental challenges, and a number of studies have shown higher rates of depression and anxiety disorders than the general population. To improve psychosocial functioning and quality of life for adults with CHD, health care providers are recommended to inform CHD patients of an accurate diagnosis, and overall treatment process, beginning in adolescence to facilitate a smooth transition from adolescence to adulthood. Active cooperation with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, chaplains, and family members is highly recommended to help CHD patients feel normal and optimistic and to promote good social interactions, close family relationships, and a strong sense of coherence.

Keywords: Anxiety; Depression; Heart disease; Quality of life.

Fig. 1

Adult congenital heart disease population in South Korea. From the database of the Korean Heart Foundation, we estimated that about 50,000 adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) live in South Korea and more than 4,000 patients newly enter adulthood every year. At the current rate, we will have about 70,000 by the year 2020.