Age‐dependency of EHRA improvement based on quality of life at diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. Issue 1 (10th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Theunissen, Luc J. H. J.; Cremers, Henricus‐Paul; van Veghel, Dennis; van der Voort, Pepijn H.; Polak, Peter E.; de Jong, Sylvie F. A. M. S.; Smits, Geert; Dijkmans, Jos; Kemps, Hareld M. C.; Dekker, Lukas R. C.; van de Pol, Jeroen A. A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of arrhythmia. Volume 38:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 50
• Page End: 57
• Publication Date: 2022-01-10
• Subjects: atrial fibrillation -- quality of life -- risk factors -- risk stratification -- symptom improvement; Arrhythmia -- Periodicals; Cardiac pacing -- Periodicals; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Arrhythmia; Cardiac pacing; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.128
• DOI: 10.1002/joa3.12671
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1880-4276

Abstract

Abstract: Background: In this study, the relationship between AF‐related quality of life (AFEQT) at baseline in AF‐patients and the improvement on perceived symptoms and general state of health (EHRA, European Heart Rhythm Association score) at 12 months was assessed across predefined age categories. Methods: Between November 2014 and October 2019 patients diagnosed with AF de novo in four hospitals embedded within the Netherlands Heart Network were prospectively followed for 12 months. These AF‐patients were categorized into quartiles based on their AFEQT score at diagnosis and EHRA score was measured at diagnosis and 12 months of follow‐up. Stratified analyses were performed using age categories (<65 vs. ≥65 years; <75 vs. ≥75 years). Results: In total, 203/483 (42.0%) AF‐patients improved in EHRA score after 12 months of follow‐up. AF‐patients in the lowest AFEQT quartile were more likely to improve, compared to patients in the highest AFEQT quartile (OR [95%CI]:4.73 [2.63–8.50]). Furthermore, patients ≥65 years and patients <75 years at diagnosis with lower AFEQT scores at baseline were most likely to improve in EHRA score after 12 months, compared to similarly aged patients with higher AFEQT scores at baseline. Conclusion: The present study indicates that AF‐patients with a lower quality of life at diagnosis were most likely to improve their EHRA score after 12 months. This effect was most prominent in patients ≥65 years of age and patients <75 years of age, compared to patients >65 and ≥75 years, respectively. Future research should focus on further defining characteristics of these age groups to enable the implementation of age‐tailored treatment. Abstract : Quality of life at diagnosis is associated with the improvement of AF‐related symptoms after 12 months. This is especially true in patients above 65 and below 75 years of age. Quality of life may be an important patient‐reported outcome to aid in providing age‐tailored treatment.