Changes in the mental and physical components of the quality of life for patients six months after pacemaker implantation.

BACKGROUND

The additional purpose for pacemaker implantation, beyond treating arrhythmias and conduction disturbances, is to improve the quality of life (QoL) of the patient. Most previous research has shown this purpose to have been achieved. However, the question as to whether all mental and physical components improve QoL to the same degree is still valid. The purpose of this study is to evaluate changes in the primary mental and physical areas of QoL in patients six months after they have had a pacemaker implanted.

METHODS

Ninety eight patients with atrioventricular blocks (AVB) and 100 patients with sinus node dysfunction (SND) who were qualified for pacemaker implantation were included in this study. Every patient had a DDD(R)-type pacemaker with bipolar screw-in leads implanted. The ventricular lead was positioned in the right ventricular outflow tract. QoL was evaluated twice: three to five days before implantation and six months afterwards - the MLWHF questionnaire was used.

RESULTS

A very high statistical improvement in QoL (p approximately 0,0000) - reduced number of points was found in all five areas of QoL in patients with SND and in four areas in patients with AVB. In the 'anxiety/depression area' in patients with AVB, the average number of points was higher (p = 0.3871), so QoL was worse.

CONCLUSIONS

Implanting a pacemaker improves QoL in patients with AVB and SND. In patients with AVB, anxiety/depression is made more intense.