Understanding the personal and community impact of long QT syndrome: A perspective from Gitxsan women

There is a disproportionately high rate of hereditary long QT syndrome (LQTS) in Northern British Columbia First Nations people, largely due to a novel missense variant in KCNQ1 (p.V205M). The variant has been previously described predisposing those affected to syncope, arrhythmia, and sudden death. Although the biological aspects of LQTS have been explored extensively, less research has been done into the impact of living with a genetic variant that predisposes one to sudden death, and no previous studies have provided cultural insights from a First Nations community. The goal of this study was to explore what facilitates and hinders resiliency and coping for those living with LQTS. Participants were invited to partake in their choice of one-to-one interviews, Photovoice, and Talking Circles. This paper presents the findings from the interview portion of the study. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed qualitatively using the systematic text condensation method. Ten women shared their personal experiences of living with LQTS through individual interviews. Half of the women had tested positive for the p.V205M variant, and the other half were awaiting results. In general, learning about a LQTS diagnosis was perceived as traumatic, with gradual acceptance that led to coping. The main factors found to facilitate resiliency and coping were positive family relationships, spirituality, and knowledge about LQTS. The main factors found to hinder resiliency and coping were a poor understanding of the biological or clinical aspects of LQTS, conflicting medical advice (especially regarding physical activity) and LQTS not being taken seriously by social contacts and healthcare providers. It appears that learning to live with LQTS is an ongoing process, requiring balance and interconnectedness between all aspects of well-being.