| Abstract [eng] |
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common long-term arrhythmia that increases the mortality, risk of stroke, hospitalization rate, worsens the quality of life (QoL) and reduces the physical capacity. Studies carried out during the past decade indicate that recover of sinus rythm or normosystolic form of AF, QoL, unfortunately, does not always increase. According to the AF treatment recommendations the main indicators of obvious treatment performance are not only clinical symptom reduction but improvement of QoL as well. Scientists invite to carry out as many researches as it is possible in order to successfully identify factors that influence QoL of patients who suffer from AF, to optimize the current treatment or to develop treatment methods or establish the new ones. During investigation of QoL it is recommended to use generic disease-specific questionnaires. The majority of such questionnaires are issued in the English language, therefore cultural-linguistic adaptation is important. During the research where 229 in-hospital patients with AF of 50-70 age participated, QoL in relation to sociodemographic, clinical and individual indicators was evaluated (sense of coherence). The adaptation procedure of QoL questionnaire AF-QoL was performed suitable for Lithuania. QoL was evaluated according to generic questionnaire SF-36 and disease specific questionnaire AF-QoL. The main statistically significant sociodemographic indicators that worsen QoL were defined as female gender, lower education, low income, marital status (single). The following clinical factors were defined: longer AF duration, more severe heart failure functional class. lower assessment values for SoC were female gender, lower income, marital status (single), higher AF symptoms Class (EHRA). A statistically significant, positive correlation between QoL and SoC was established. Increased focus on the above mentioned areas would improve AF treatment in relation to QoL improvement. |
