Dimensional Structure of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and Association with Adverse Childhood Experiences in Patients with an Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillator

Illness perceptions (IP), as measured by the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), and adverse childhood experiences (ACE) have been shown to affect the physical and psychological well-being in different patient populations. However, little is known about IP and ACE in patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Our objectives were to investigate the dimensional structure and to evaluate correlates of the BIPQ in ICD patients. 423 patients with an ICD were prospectively recruited. We conducted a principal component analysis to determine the dimensional structure of the BIPQ. Associations between ACE, other sociodemographic and clinical variables, and IP were analysed using a multivariable linear regression. We identified a two-factor structure (I = Consequences, II = Control) of the BIPQ. Among others, a higher number of ICD shocks in the past (0.21, 95% CI = 0.01-0.41, p = 0.036), low physical activity (-2.16, 95% CI = -4.37 to -0.37, p = 0.045), more frequent ACE (0.56, 95% CI = 0.08-1.22, p = 0.030), ICD shock-related concerns (0.75, 95% CI 0.62-0.89, p < 0.001), and primary ICD indication (-2.29, 95% CI -4.47 to -0.11, p = 0.039) were significantly associated with more threatening IP. The identification of those variables might lead to more precise interventions targeting maladaptive IP in this vulnerable patient population.