Psychological problems of patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators in Baghdad City

Abstract EN

Background : Patients with an Implantable Cardiovertor Defibrillation (ICD) describe psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, and stress.

To achieve the full benefits of the device, patient must maintain their psychological status within good levels.

Objectives : The major objectives of this study were to determine the main psychological problems in adult patients with an ICD and to find out the relationship between Psychological problems in patients with ICD and some demographic characteristics of patients with ICD.

Patients and Methods : A Descriptive analytical study was carried out from January 25, 2011 to March 20, 2012 in order to determine Psychological problems of patients with ICD.

The sample was selected by A purposive (non-probability) sampling of (100) patients raising ICD during routine checking or programming the device in outpatient at Ibn Abitar Hospital.

Data was collected through the use of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) after doing some modifications and the process of the self- administrative report for each patient as a mean of data collection.

The questionnaire was constructed by the researcher to achieve the objectives of the study, which consisted of two parts ; the first part is concerned with the demographic characteristics of the patients ; the second part consists of three domain describe the psychological problems and contain42- item measure of depression, anxiety and stress.

Results : Results of the study indicate that (80 %) of the sample are male at age group (40-49) years old, (53.3 %) were married, (62 %) are at Bachelor Degree, (39.

%) experience with ICD since 6-12 months, (42 %) employee, (7o %) take about (1-5) discharge per last 6 months.

Psychological problems (depression, anxiety, and stress) among ICD patients at high levels, and the highest one was stress at MS (3.00) and SD (0.48), and there were significant relationships between depression and gender, educational level, and since ICD implantation at p-value (0.030, 0.011, and 0.037).

There were significant relationships between anxiety and age, marital status, educational level, since ICD implantation at p-value (0.008, 0.025,0 .000, 0.007).

There were significant relationships between Stress and age, gender, occupations, since ICD implantation at p-value (0.001, 0.000,0 .002, 0.053).

Conclusions : An Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator patients experience high levels of psychological problems, patients worry about the devices malfunctioning, a afraid from the ICD shocks, They should be granted psychological support from health professionals who are familiar with the specific problems of ICD recipients.

As well as psychological interventions is important role of nurse for those patients with ICD.