Death anxiety and sleep quality in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator

Objective: This study was conducted as a descriptive study to determine the levels of death anxiety and sleep quality experienced by patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and to investigate the relationship between death anxiety and sleep quality. Method: The study was conducted on September 2018-February 2019 with 88 ICD patients who were admitted to Akdeniz University Cardiology Outpatient Clinic for routine battery control. Data were collected by using Patient Information Form, Templer Death Anxiety Scale (DAS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). SAS 9.4 package program was used for statistical analysis of the data obtained in the study. The data were evaluated using t-test, chi-square, Shapiro-Wilk, Mann-Whitney U test and variation analysis. Results: It was determined that female patients under 50 years of age had significantly higher death anxiety and sleep quality levels, and individuals with poor economic status had lower levels of sleep quality and this was statistically significant. It was found that the experience of shocking significantly increased death anxiety, significantly reduced sleep quality, and anxiety and problems related to ICD significantly increased death anxiety levels. It was determined that the levels of sleep anxiety decreased with the increase of death anxiety levels, but this result was not statistically significant. Conclusion: In the study it was determined that the problems and concerns experienced by the individuals can trigger shock and this may increase the anxiety levels of individuals. İt is recommended that psychosocial support of patients and appropriate interventions should be planned to reduce anxiety levels and improve sleep quality.