Objective: To examine if the caregiving for patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is related to a poorer health status and more distress compared to patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).
Background: Partners distress may influence patient outcomes and is therefore an important aspect in the care of LVAD and ICD patients.
Methods: Multi-center prospective observational study with 6 months follow-up of 33 LVAD partners (27% men; mean age = 54 ± 10 years) and 414 ICD partners (22% men; mean age = 60 ± 12 years).
Results: LVAD partners reported better physical (F = 10.71, p = .001) but poorer mental health status (F = 14.82, p < .001) and higher depression scores compared to ICD partners (F = 3.68, p = .05) at 6 months follow-up, also in adjusted analyses. There was no significant difference between groups on anxiety.
Conclusion: Caregivers of LVAD patients show higher distress levels compared to caregivers of ICD patients. LVAD partners may have a need for support beyond what is offered currently in clinical practice.
Keywords: Anxiety and depression; Health status; ICD; Implantable cardioverter defibrillator; LVAD; Left ventricular assist device.
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