The impact of rate control versus rhythm control on the quality of life of patients with atrial fibrillation

Session

Medicine and Nursing

Description

Atrial fibrillation is among the most frequent arrhythmias and is manifested by symptoms such as fatigue, dyspnea, and palpitations. Moreover, most patients consider it as a life-threatening arrhythmia, and as a result of all this, the quality of life of the patients is greatly damaged.

The aim – of this research was to determine the impact that atrial fibrillation has on the quality of life of patients. Also, the impact of the treatment strategy (rate control versus rhythm control) of atrial fibrillation on the patient's quality of life.

Methods – In this cohort study, 156 patients were investigated. 43 (27.56%) patients were excluded from the study due to heart failure (EF <50%) and 113 (72.44%) individuals remained for the study. Of 113 individuals with an average age of 69 ± 8.30 years, who underwent research, there were 59 (52.21%) females and 54 (47.79%) males. All study subjects, at the beginning of the treatment, have completed the questionnaire for the evaluation of the quality of life: EQ-5D-5L launched by The EuroQol Group. Then, depending on the treatment strategy, they are classified into two groups. Group A 64 (56.64%) patients with rate control. While Group B 49 (43.36%) patients with rhythm control. Both groups, at the end of the treatment, completed the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire again. The results obtained were compared with those at the beginning of the treatment and between groups A and B. Statistical evaluations were made with X2, the difference was considered significant if p<0.01. Our results are compared to data for the general population assessed with the same instrument (EQ-5D-5L) which has been reported by The EuroQol Group.

Results – At the beginning of the treatment, the quality of life in the researched subjects was significantly lower than in healthy individuals of the corresponding age. At the end of the research, quality improvement was achieved in group A in all 5 dimensions assessed for the quality of life. Improvement of the quality of life in all 5 evaluated dimensions was also achieved in the individuals of group B. However, no significant difference was observed in the quality of life between the groups, although the individuals of group B have a slightly higher quality of life. better than group A individuals.

Conclusion – Individuals with atrial fibrillation have a lower quality of life than the general population. Our research has shown that the atrial fibrillation treatment strategy is not important in terms of quality of life for individuals with atrial fibrillation. The decision to select an atrial fibrillation treatment strategy should be made after a comprehensive evaluation of each patient.

Keywords:

Atrial fibrillation, Quality of life, rate control, rhythm control.

Proceedings Editor

Edmond Hajrizi

ISBN

978-9951-550-50-5

Location

UBT Kampus, Lipjan

Start Date

29-10-2022 12:00 AM

End Date

30-10-2022 12:00 AM

DOI

10.33107/ubt-ic.2022.181

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Oct 29th, 12:00 AM Oct 30th, 12:00 AM

The impact of rate control versus rhythm control on the quality of life of patients with atrial fibrillation

UBT Kampus, Lipjan

Atrial fibrillation is among the most frequent arrhythmias and is manifested by symptoms such as fatigue, dyspnea, and palpitations. Moreover, most patients consider it as a life-threatening arrhythmia, and as a result of all this, the quality of life of the patients is greatly damaged.

The aim – of this research was to determine the impact that atrial fibrillation has on the quality of life of patients. Also, the impact of the treatment strategy (rate control versus rhythm control) of atrial fibrillation on the patient's quality of life.

Methods – In this cohort study, 156 patients were investigated. 43 (27.56%) patients were excluded from the study due to heart failure (EF <50%) and 113 (72.44%) individuals remained for the study. Of 113 individuals with an average age of 69 ± 8.30 years, who underwent research, there were 59 (52.21%) females and 54 (47.79%) males. All study subjects, at the beginning of the treatment, have completed the questionnaire for the evaluation of the quality of life: EQ-5D-5L launched by The EuroQol Group. Then, depending on the treatment strategy, they are classified into two groups. Group A 64 (56.64%) patients with rate control. While Group B 49 (43.36%) patients with rhythm control. Both groups, at the end of the treatment, completed the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire again. The results obtained were compared with those at the beginning of the treatment and between groups A and B. Statistical evaluations were made with X2, the difference was considered significant if p<0.01. Our results are compared to data for the general population assessed with the same instrument (EQ-5D-5L) which has been reported by The EuroQol Group.

Results – At the beginning of the treatment, the quality of life in the researched subjects was significantly lower than in healthy individuals of the corresponding age. At the end of the research, quality improvement was achieved in group A in all 5 dimensions assessed for the quality of life. Improvement of the quality of life in all 5 evaluated dimensions was also achieved in the individuals of group B. However, no significant difference was observed in the quality of life between the groups, although the individuals of group B have a slightly higher quality of life. better than group A individuals.

Conclusion – Individuals with atrial fibrillation have a lower quality of life than the general population. Our research has shown that the atrial fibrillation treatment strategy is not important in terms of quality of life for individuals with atrial fibrillation. The decision to select an atrial fibrillation treatment strategy should be made after a comprehensive evaluation of each patient.