Background: The aim was to explore factors associated with health status and psychological distress among ICD-implanted CA survivors.  

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included all eligible adult ICD-implanted CA survivors in the Swedish ICD and Pacemaker Registry, 2011-2012. Health status and psychological distress were measured with the EQ-5D-5L (EQ index & EQ VAS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) respectively. Linear regression analyses were used to explore associations between explanatory- and outcome variables.

Results: In total, 990 patients (22% women) with a median age of 68 (q1-q3=60-74) were included. Time since the CA varied between 6 months to 23 years. The median values for EQ index and EQ VAS were 0.85 (q1-q3=0.73-1.00) and 80 (q1-q3=69-90) respectively. Gender, comorbidity, receiving ICD-shock/-s, perceived control and personality were independently associated with health status. The final models explained 25% (EQ index) and 30% (EQ VAS) of the total variance (according to the R² values). The median values for HADS Anxiety and HADS Depression were 3 (q1-q3=1-6) and 2 (q1-q3=1-4) respectively. Age, gender, comorbidity, living alone, ICD-related concerns, perceived control and personality were independently associated with psychological distress. The final models explained 51% (HADS Anxiety) and 44% (HADS Depression) of the total variance.

Conclusion: Age, gender, living alone, comorbidity, receiving ICD-shock/-s, ICD-related concerns, perceived control and personality were associated with health status and/or psychological distress. These results contribute to a better understanding of the life situation among CA survivors, and may be important to develop individualized post CA care.