Key result
Female ICD recipients reported higher anxiety and poorer emotional wellbeing at discharge compared to men, but improved significantly by 12 months, though they consistently worried more about appearance.
Why the study?
Are there gender differences in psychosocial adjustment over a 12 month period following ICD implantation?
Observational (n=47)
Are there gender differences in psychosocial adjustment over a 12 month period following ICD implantation?
Following ICD implantation, women experience higher initial anxiety and poorer emotional wellbeing than men, but adjust positively over 12 months, though they remain more concerned about appearance.
Women may need early anxiety support after ICD; hypothesis-generating for gender-specific interventions.
BACKGROUND: While randomised, controlled trials have established the efficacy of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) for primary and secondary prevention of life threatening arrhythmias, psychosocial responses remain complex and poorly understood, especially across Europe. There appears to be a greater need to understand differences in the experience of men and women. AIM: The aim of this prospective study was to explore differences in psychosocial adjustment over a 12 month period following ICD implantation. METHODS: Fourteen female and thirty three male device recipients completed a series of questionnaires over a 12 month period. Instruments included a generic and an ICD specific Quality of Life (QOL) measure and the state-trait anxiety inventory. RESULTS: Women reported higher levels of anxiety than men at discharge but over time demonstrated a significant improvement such that at 4, 8 and 12 months men were more anxious. Women reported significantly poorer emotional wellbeing at discharge, however by 12 months this was significantly improved with no difference in the perceptions held by men and women. Women consistently across the 12 months worried more than men about the impact of the device on appearance. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that most individuals adjust positively to the ICD during the first 12 months. Some gender differences in adjustment were evident. Further studies across Europe are warranted to establish gender specific interventions to support men and women as they adapt to life with ICD implants.
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Marshall et al. (2011) conducted an observational in Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) recipients (n=47). Female sex vs. Male sex was evaluated on Psychosocial adjustment (anxiety, emotional wellbeing, and appearance worry). Female ICD recipients reported higher anxiety and poorer emotional wellbeing at discharge compared to men, but improved significantly by 12 months, though they consistently worried more about appearance.
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