Background Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) support the failing heart of patients with advanced heart failure (HF) and are used as a bridge to heart transplantation (HTx) or a destination therapy for patients ineligible for HTx. Body image changes, as well as anxiety and depression, are prevalent among LVAD implanted patients. Objective To investigate whether a relationship exists between body image and personal wellbeing among LVAD implanted patients and, if it does, whether it is moderated by anxiety and depression. Methods In this cross-sectional correlational study, a convenience sample of 30 adult LVAD implanted patients (mean age 63±10, 90% male) from the outpatient facility of a tertiary medical center, completed validated instruments such as Body Image Scale, Cosmetic Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Personal Wellbeing Index, from October 2017 to February 2018. A multivariate linear regression and bootstrap moderation analyses were performed. Results Eleven patients (37%) had below-average personal wellbeing scores and 14 patients (47%) had below-average body image scores. Seven (23%) had either anxiety or depression and 11 (37%) had both anxiety and depression. Body image was found to be significant predictor of personal wellbeing (t=2.16, p=.04). When anxiety and depression were present, body image (t=2.08, p=.049), depression (t=2.53, p=.018) and the interaction between body image and depression (t=-2.1, p=.047) were significantly associated with personal wellbeing. Conclusions Body image significantly predicted personal wellbeing among LVAD implanted patients. Depression alone or depression combined with anxiety moderated the relationships between body image and personal wellbeing. The current results may help heightening health care providers' awareness of body image perception among LVAD implanted patients.
Highlights• Among LVAD patients, body image is associated with sexual functioning, LVAD confidence, and well-being.• Sexual functioning and LVAD confidence predicted LVAD patients' body image.
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