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Hidden Beats: Detection of Subclinical Atrial Fibrillation Using Questionnaires in Young Adults and Its
Insights
Subclinical atrial fibrillation (AF) in young adults is linked to higher cardiovascular risks and lower quality of life (QoL). Simple screening can help identify at-risk individuals.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Subclinical atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasingly recognized in young adults.
- Understanding its impact on cardiovascular risk and quality of life (QoL) is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify subclinical AF in young individuals (aged 18-40).
- To examine the association between subclinical AF, cardiovascular risk profile, and QoL in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional survey of 403 adults.
- Utilized INTERHEART Modifiable Risk Score (IHMRS), AF Effect on QoL (AFEQT), and modified EHRA (mEHRA) questionnaires.
- Statistical analysis included correlation, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and multiple linear regression.
Main Results:
- Higher symptom severity correlated with increased cardiovascular risk and decreased QoL.
- Lower QoL was associated with higher IHMRS.
- Women reported greater symptoms and lower QoL.
- Predictors of better IHMRS included age, male gender, higher EHRA scores, physical inactivity, and family history of CVD; better QoL was protective.
Conclusions:
- Subclinical AF symptoms in young adults are significantly associated with elevated cardiovascular risks and diminished QoL.
- Questionnaire-based screening can facilitate early detection of high-risk individuals, even in resource-limited settings.
Objectives:
The objectives were to identify subclinical AF in young individuals and to examine its association with cardiovascular risk profile and quality of life (QoL) in a young adult cohort.
Design:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 403 adults aged 18-40 years in public and private hospitals.
Methods:
The INTERHEART Modifiable Risk Score (IHMRS), Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life (AFEQT) questionnaire, and the Modified European Heart Rhythm Association (mEHRA) were used to collect data. The statistics were performed using descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlation, the Mann-Whitney U test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and multiple linear regression in IBM SPSS 26.
Results:
Of the 403 respondents, the majority were male (85%) and aged 36-40 (30%). A stronger negative correlation with QoL (0.42, p < 0.001) and a weaker positive correlation with cardiovascular risk (0.13, p = 0.009) were observed between higher EHRA symptom severity and cardiovascular risk. There was also a negative correlation between QoL and IHMRS (r = -0.29, p = < 0.001). Women presented with greater symptoms and low QoL (p < 0.001). The regression analysis showed that predictors of better IHMRS were age, male gender, higher EHRA scores, physical inactivity, and a family history of CVD. In contrast, better QoL was a protective factor (p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
Subclinical AF symptoms were highly correlated with increased cardiovascular risks and decreased QoL in young adults. Early detection of high-risk individuals, especially in settings with limited resources, could be achieved through simple questionnaire-based screening.
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