Changes in quality of life affect outcomes in AF
Among patients with atrial fibrillation, changes in quality of life affected risk for congestive HF, CV death and all-cause mortality, but changes in AF symptoms did not, according to new findings.
The researchers conducted a prospective study of 3,836 patients with AF (mean age, 72 years; 72% men), following them for a mean of 3.7 years and collecting information annually on AF symptoms and quality of life. The primary endpoint was stroke or systemic embolism, and the researchers also assessed numerous other clinical outcomes.
There was no difference in the primary endpoint between those who did and those who did not have AF-related symptoms (adjusted HR = 1.11; 95% CI, 0.77-1.59), nor did quality of life affect the primary endpoint (aHR per 5-point increase on a visual analog scale = 0.98; 95% CI, 0.94-1.03), Philipp Krisai, MD, cardiologist at University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, and colleagues wrote.
In addition, there was no relationship between AF symptoms and any secondary endpoint, according to the researchers.
However, change in quality of life was associated with risk for congestive HF hospitalizations (aHR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.9-0.94), CV death (aHR = 0.9; 95% CI, 0.86-0.95) and all-cause mortality (aHR = 0.88; 95% CI, 0.86-0.9), Krisai and colleagues wrote.
“AF-related symptoms significantly changed over time and were not associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Decisions regarding oral anticoagulation should
therefore not be based on the presence or absence of AF-related symptoms,” Krisai and colleagues wrote. “On the other hand, reduced quality of life was strongly associated with a multitude of adverse clinical outcomes, including death. Patients with AF with a low quality of life therefore represent a high-risk patient population.” – by Erik Swain
Disclosures: Krisai reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the study for all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
Read more about