Quality of life in atrial fibrillation: measurement tools and impact of interventions

J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2008 Jul;19(7):762-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.2007.01091.x. Epub 2008 Feb 5.

Abstract

Quality of life (QoL) is of central importance in atrial fibrillation as both a treatment goal and an endpoint in the evaluation of new therapies. QoL appears to be impaired in the majority of patients with AF. A number of interventions for AF have been shown to improve QoL, including pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic rate control, antiarrhythmic drugs, and nonpharmacologic rhythm control strategies. This paper will review the rationale, design, strengths, and limitations of the questionnaires most commonly used to assess QoL in AF studies, and present QoL outcomes from major studies of AF interventions.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Atrial Fibrillation / diagnosis*
  • Atrial Fibrillation / epidemiology
  • Atrial Fibrillation / therapy*
  • Health Status Indicators*
  • Humans
  • Medical Records*
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / methods*
  • Quality of Life*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • Treatment Outcome