DEATH ANXIETY AND SLEEP QUALITY IN PATIENTS WITH IMPLANTABLE
CARDIOVERTER DEFIBRILLATORS
Abstract
Background: Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) are an
effective therapy method for the prevention of sudden cardiac deaths
but, it may cause certain psychosocial problems in patients. Although
the patients are especially under the risk of death anxiety and sleep
disorders, there are no studies that discuss these phenomena together.
This research was a descriptive study that aimed to examine the levels
of death anxiety and sleep quality as well as their relationship in
patients with ICD. Methods: The research was conducted between September
2018-February 2019 with 88 patients. The data were obtained by using the
Patient Information Form, Pittsburgh-Sleep-Quality-Index and Templer
Death-Anxiety-Scale. The data were analyzed with Shapiro-Wilk test,
t-test, chi-squared test, Mann-Whitney-U test and variation analysis.
Results: Death anxiety levels were higher in females under 50 years of
age (p<0.001), and sleep quality levels were lower in patients
with low economic status (p<0.001). Also, ICD shocks increased
anxiety levels and significantly decreased sleep quality levels
(p<0.05). The anxiety and problems related to ICD increased
death anxiety significantly (p<0.05), and sleep quality
decreased due to the increase in death anxiety levels, but this wasn’t
statistically significant. Conclusion: ICD is associated with high
levels of death anxiety and poor sleep quality in patients in Turkey.
This study results are expected to promote biopsychosocial support for
patients by planning proper interventions. In order to distinguish the
effects of comorbid conditions and cultural traits on ICD experiences,
it’s recommended that the results of the study are examined with future
studies and different populations.