A retrospective study of the Japanese Version of Stanford Integrated Psychosocial Assessment Tool (SIPAT-J) and the Onset of Adjustment Disorder One-Year after Ventricular Assisting Device Implantation as Bridge to Transplantation

Abstract Background Patients with ventricular assist devices (VADs) as bridge to transplantation are exposed to psychosocial stress due to uncertainty of the availability of heart transplantation. Therefore, it is important to identify individuals who are psychosocially vulnerable and at risk of developing psychosocial distress such as adjustment disorder. Main body The aim of this retrospective study using medical records was to investigate associations between scores on the Japanese version of Stanford Integrated Psychosocial Assessment for Transplantation (SIPAT-J) administered before ventricular assist device implantation and the onset of adjustment disorder one year after the implantation. Medical records of 24 patients who had undergone VADs implantation from 1 August 2014 to 31 December 2019 were reviewed starting from the day of psychiatric evaluation until one year after VADs implantation. Twelve patients were diagnosed as having delirium and/or insomnia and five developed adjustment disorder after amelioration of delirium and/or insomnia. Patients’ readiness level domain scores on the SIPAT-J indicated a trend to associate with development of adjustment disorder, though this finding was not statistically significant. The stressors of AD were identified as changes created by the ventricular assist device. Conclusions: The findings of this preliminary study highlighted the importance of assessing patients’ readiness levels, such as knowledge and adherence to treatment, as well as their prediction on life changes created by ventricular assist devices, with the aim of preventing development of adjustment disorder after ventricular assist device implantation.