Cent Eur J Nurs Midw 2014, 5(1):15-20

Quality of life of patients with a permanent pacemaker

Radka Kurucová^1,*, Katarína Žiaková¹, Elena Gurková², Eva Šimková³

¹ Department of Nursing, Jessenius Medical Faculty in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava

² Faculty of Health Care, University of Presov in Presov

³ Intensive Care Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty Hospital with out-patient clinic in Žilina

Aim: To find which areas of patients' quality of life were most affected by permanent pacemaker implantation and to assess quality of life in patients after permanent pacemaker implantation with respect to rhythm disorders.

Methods: The research sample consisted of 100 patients with permanent pacemaker implantation, of whom 58 were women and 42 men; all hospitalized in Žilina Faculty Hospital and Polyclinic. The average age of the participants was 66.5. To collect empirical data, the Quality of Life Index Cardiac Version - IV, an assessment tool for patients with cardiac disease, was used.

Results: The results of the statistical analysis show that patients reported lowest quality of life in psychological and spiritual domains, and highest quality of life in the domain of family relationships. With respect to rhythm disorders, no statistically significant differences in quality of life were found in patients with a permanent pacemaker. Statistically significant differences (p≤0.029) were confirmed in individual areas of life regarding marital status. Married patients reported a higher quality of life. Significant relationships were also confirmed with respect to patient age (p≤0.027, r ≥ -0.309). Older patients experienced lower quality of life.

Conclusion: The implantation of a permanent pacemaker positively influences patients' quality of life, especially in domains of health and functional status. Attention should be given to older patients and those who are unmarried, with respect to the implementation of effective nursing interventions, in order to promote quality of life.

Keywords: permanent pacemaker, quality of life, Quality of Life Index Cardiac Version - IV

Received: September 30, 2013; Accepted: December 17, 2013; Published: March 30, 2014  Show citation