Psychometric evaluation of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator body image concerns questionnaire (ICD-BICQ).

BACKGROUND: Patients receiving an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) generally adapt well to living with their device, but we know little about the prevalence of patients' body image concerns (BICs) postimplant. METHODS: The objectives were to evaluate the psychometric properties of the ICD-body image concerns questionnaire (BICQ), find a cut-off indicating BICs and determine the prevalence of BICs. Construct validity was determined using the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test, Scree-plot and explorative factor analysis. Internal consistency was examined via Cronbach's alpha. Correlations to other validated questionnaires, a weighted and simple scale and a cut-off indicating BICs was evaluated. RESULTS: In total, 331 patients completed the 39-item ICD-BICQ together with: Type D Scale (DS14), Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and Florida Patient Acceptance Survey. Five patients were excluded due to reoperations, leaving 326 patients in the analyses. Results revealed a one-factor structure with 32 items and Cronbach's alpha at .948. A cut-off at 36 points displayed the 20% patients with the highest score of BICs. The prevalence was 29.8% in women and 18.4% in men. CONCLUSION: The psychometric evaluation of the 32-item ICD-BICQ showed acceptable construct validity and internal reliability. We recommend a cut-off score at 36 points to identify patients at risk of having BICs. The prevalence of BICs indicated that both men and women are at risk of having BICs. The ICD-BICQ can be used in clinical practice to help healthcare professionals to identify patients at risk of BICs and as to evaluate BICs when implementing new operation techniques.

Anxiety and depression symptoms in Danish patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: prevalence and association with indication and sex up to 2 years of follow-up (data from the national DEFIB-WOMEN study).

AIMS: To investigate (i) the prevalence of anxiety and depression and (ii) the association between indication for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation and sex in relation to anxiety and depression up to 24 months' follow-up. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with a first-time ICD, participating in the national, multi-centre, prospective DEFIB-WOMEN study (n = 1496; 18% women) completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at baseline, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Data were analysed using linear mixed modelling for longitudinal data. Patients with a secondary prophylactic indication (SPI) had higher mean anxiety scores than patients with a primary prophylactic indication (PPI) at baseline, 3, and 12 months and higher mean depression scores at all-time points, except at 24 months. Women had higher mean anxiety scores as compared to men at all-time points; however, only higher mean depression scores at baseline. Overall, women with SPI had higher anxiety and depression symptom scores than men with SPI. Symptoms decreased over time in both women and men. From baseline to follow-up, the prevalence of anxiety (score ≥8) was highest in patients with SPI (13.3-20.2%) as compared to patients with PPI (range 10.0-14.7%). The prevalence of depression was stable over the follow-up period in both groups (range 8.5-11.1%). CONCLUSION: Patients with a SPI reported higher anxiety and depression scores as compared to patients with PPI. Women reported higher anxiety scores than men, but only higher depression scores at baseline. Women with SPI reported the highest anxiety and depression scores overall.

Development of the Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Body Image Concerns Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is the first-line treatment for the prevention of sudden cardiac death. Although most ICD recipients adapt well to living with the device, some struggle with ICD-related body image concerns (BICs). Because of lack of standardized questionnaires to assess BICs, we do not know the prevalence. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop a questionnaire that assesses self-reported ICD-related BICs. METHODS: Using a sequential, qualitative multimethod approach, we developed the ICD-BIC questionnaire (ICD-BICQ) based on (1) themes from a scoping review on BICs in ICD recipients, (2) cognitive interviews with ICD recipients to evaluate the validity of items and to ascertain whether items were missing, and (3) input from healthcare professionals. A conceptual framework was created containing 4 general dimensions: (1) assessment, (2) behavior, (3) body perception, and (4) emotions. RESULTS: Implantable cardioverter defibrillator recipients (n = 8, 2 women and 6 men; age, 40-78 years), 2 specialists in questionnaire development, and healthcare professionals specialized in ICD treatment evaluated the questionnaire. After no new items or new dimensions emerged from the cognitive interviews, the final version 7 of the ICD-BICQ consisted of 39 items tapping into (1) assessment (n = 2), (2) behavior (n = 13), (3) body perception (n = 16), and emotions (n = 8). Items were assessed on a 5-point Likert-type scale. CONCLUSION: Using patient and healthcare professionals' involvement, we developed the 39-item ICD-BICQ to measure the prevalence of BICs in ICD recipients. The factor structure, construct validity, psychometric properties, and a clinically relevant cutoff for the ICD-BICQ will be evaluated in a quantitative study of ICD recipients.

Does an interdisciplinary outpatient atrial fibrillation (AF) clinic affect the number of acute AF admissions? A retrospective cohort study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic for patients with atrial fibrillation-clinic on the number of acute hospitalisations for atrial fibrillation compared with usual outpatient care for this condition before the establishment of the atrial fibrillation-clinic. BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend a structured outpatient clinic follow-up in multidisciplinary teams for patients with atrial fibrillation due to fewer hospitalisations and death. However, the evidence base is weak. DESIGN: The study is a retrospective cohort study including a total of 129 patients from the cardiac outpatient clinic at a large Danish University Hospital. The study population consisted of two groups: a usual care group before a dedicated atrial fibrillation-clinic was established (n = 73) and the atrial fibrillation-clinic group (n = 56). The primary endpoint was acute hospitalisation for atrial fibrillation. METHODS: Cox regression was used to assess the hazard ratio for acute hospitalisations for atrial fibrillation. RESULTS: When comparing the atrial fibrillation-clinic with the usual care group, adjusted for age and sex, this study showed a trend towards more frequent acute hospitalisations in the usual care group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study are hypothesis-generating and should lead to larger prospective trials to evaluate the impact of dedicated multidisciplinary atrial fibrillation-clinics on atrial fibrillation-related issues as acute hospitalisations for atrial fibrillation, symptoms and quality of life. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Follow-up in a dedicated multidisciplinary AF-clinic might empower patients better to cope with acute arrhythmia symptoms.