Long-term quality of life and uncertainty in patients living with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator

Purpose tudy describes the quality of life (QOL) and uncertainty in patients who have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and predicts QOL at long-term follow-up. s erm follow-up was defined as 6.9 years ± 1 year (range 4.11–8.7 years). QOL was measured with the Quality of Life Index, and uncertainty was measured with the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale. s erall QOL and health/functioning were unchanged over time. QOL in the socioeconomic (P = .002) and psychologic/spiritual domains (P = .012) decreased in the first year. From baseline to long-term follow-up, the QOL in the family domain (P = .011) and uncertainty (P = .002) decreased. Uncertainty was a predictor of low QOL. sion s reasonably good 6.9 years post-ICD implantation. Patients felt less uncertain once they had passed the first year of their illness.