GUIMARAES, Tathiane Barbosa et al. Relevance of psychosocial factors and occurrence of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator shocks on the perception of cardiac illness as a threat: Comfort-ICD. []. , 19, 1, pp.117-132. ISSN 1516-0858.

Background: The occurrence of shocks, anxiety and type D personality are well known risk factors for psychosocial maladjustment. At the same time, little attention is given to these and other factors and their influence on perceptions that implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) patients have about their heart disease as a threat. This was the aim of this research, besides evaluating the temporal relation between occurrence of ICD shocks and illness perception. Methods: 250 ICD patients were evaluated, regarding illness perception, relating it to anxiety, depression, distress, Type D personality, occurrence of recent ICD shocks and since implant. Results: Patients' perceptions of their heart disease were not influenced by shocks since the implant, but by shocks in the last six months. However, anxiety, distress, depression and type D personality were associated with perceiving heart disease as a health threat. Conclusions: ICD patients' illness perceptions are influenced by type D personality, anxiety, depression and distress. The occurrence of shock is the factor that least affects illness perception as a threat. Therefore, the data indicates the need to give more attention to psychosocial factors.

: implantable cardioverter defibrillator; anxiety; depression; type D personality; icd shock.

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