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BMI influenced quality of life among AF patients
Mohanty S. Heart Rhythm. 2011;8:1847-1852.
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Patients with atrial fibrillation who are obese had a better quality-of-life outcome after catheter ablation compared with patients who are not obese, recent data showed.
Six hundred sixty patients with AF (mean age, 62 years; 69% men) were categorized into two groups according to baseline BMI: normal-BMI group (BMI <25) and overweight/obese group (BMI ≥25). Researchers found a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, CAD and large left atrium at baseline in the overweight/obese group. Preprocedure quality-of-life scores on Medical Outcomes Short Study Form-36, Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory also were lower compared with the normal-BMI group.
At 12 months, primary endpoint of improvement in quality-of-life scores was found in the overweight/obese group. However, no significant improvement in quality of life was found in the normal group. Both groups showed no difference in the other primary endpoint of long-term procedural success (69% normal BMI; 63% high BMI; log-rank P=.109).
Study results showed improvement in quality-of-life scores with successful (13.7; P<.001) vs. failed (7.8; P=.144) ablation, specifically among Short Form-36 physical component summary. Ablation success also was associated with decrease in Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale score (anxiety=–2.4; P=.003; depression=–2.0; P<.001) and Beck Depression Inventory score (–2.0; P=.024) vs. failed procedures (anxiety= –0.5; P=.131; depression=0.4; P=.415; Beck Depression Inventory=–0.4; P=.642).
At the end of follow-up, researchers found 64% (n=424) of patients were free of AF/atrial tachycardia: 69% (n=96) of patients in the normal-BMI group and 63% (n=328) in the overweight/obese group (P=.109).
“Despite reporting improvement in quality of life and comparable procedure-success in obese and overweight patients, this study does not attempt to trivialize the importance of interventions to promote weight loss and adaptation of healthy lifestyle,” Sanghamitra Mohanty, MD, of Saint David’s Medical Center in Austin, Texas, said in a press release. “Obesity still remains a potential risk-factor for AF and many other CVD, and active measures should be taken to reverse this potentially modifiable risk factor.”
Disclosure: Dr. Mohanty reports no relevant financial disclosures.
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