The psychological impact of permanent cardiac pacemakers on pediatric patients and their parents: A case control study

• Published in: Indian heart journal Vol. 70; no. 6; pp. 872 - 878
• Main Authors: Allam, Lamyaa Elsayed, Nabih, Mervat Abo-Elmaaty, El-Missiry, Marwa Adel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Elsevier B.V 01-11-2018; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adolescent; Anxiety; Anxiety - epidemiology; Anxiety - etiology; Anxiety - psychology; Arrhythmias, Cardiac - therapy; Cardiac devices; Cardiac Electrophysiology; Case-Control Studies; Child; Depression; Depression - epidemiology; Depression - etiology; Depression - psychology; Egypt - epidemiology; Female; Humans; Male; Pacemaker, Artificial - adverse effects; Pacemakers; Parents - psychology; Pediatrics; Prevalence; Quality of Life; Stress, Psychological - complications; Stress, Psychological - epidemiology; Stress, Psychological - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Egypt; Pediatrics; Depression; Cardiac devices; Anxiety; Pacemakers
• ISSN: 0019-4832; 2213-3763
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ihj.2018.02.007

This study assessed anxiety and depression in children with permanent pacemakers (PPM) and quality of life of their parents.
Ninety children (63.3% males and 36.6% females) and their parents were included in the study and were divided into three groups. The control group (Group 1) included 30 normal healthy children (57% males and 43% females), the PPM group (Group 2) included 30 age-matched children (70% males and 30% females) with PPM and structurally normal heart, while the Group 3 included 30 children (63% males and 37% females) with PPM and congenital heart disease (PPM+CHD). Psychological assessment of children and their parents was carried out using an interview-based questionnaires.
Psychiatric disorders were more prevalent in PPM+CHD group including depression (P=0.04), anxiety (P=0.02) and lower parents’ QoL (P=0.01). The PPM group had higher depression and lower parents’ QoL than the control group. Family income was independent factor for depression (r2=−6.3, with P<0.05). Sex of the child and CCU admission were independent factors for anxiety (r2=−9.5, P<0.05 & r2=10.5, P=0.001) in PPM group.
Children with pacemakers have higher psychiatric disorders and their parents have lower QoL.