Variation in quality of life with type of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common arrhythmias. It is classified according to its presentation as either paroxysmal, persistent or permanent. The presence of this arrhythmia has been associated with a decrease in patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The Atrial Fibrillation-Quality of Life (AF-QoL) questionnaire, which is specifically for use in patients with AF, has recently been developed and validated. The aim of this study was to use this questionnaire to investigate differences in HRQoL associated with different types of AF.

This prospective observational multicenter study was performed in a regular clinical context in Spain. The AF-QoL questionnaire was administered to study patients, who were diagnosed as having one of the three types of AF.

The study involved 341 patients with AF, 43% of whom had persistent AF, while 37% had paroxysmal AF, and 20% had permanent AF. Although the type of AF had no significant effect on the overall AF-QoL score, patients with permanent AF had the highest scores on the psychological dimension (i.e. better HRQoL). In addition, an increased frequency of symptoms, more emergency department visits, and poorer functioning were also associated with significant differences in HRQoL in AF patients.

Use of the AF-QoL questionnaire showed that the HRQoL of AF patients was influenced by the clinical characteristics of the disease but not, except on the psychological dimension, by the type of AF.