The effects of illness perceptions on health-related quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Abstract Background/Introduction Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is lower compared with the general population, healthy controls, and patients with other cardiovascular diseases. Many factors influence HRQoL in patients with AF negatively. Illness perceptions have been shown to be related to HRQoL in a number of diseases, but, the role of the effect of illness perception on HRQoL in patients with AF is lacking. Purpose The aim was to explore the relationship between illness perceptions and HRQoL in patients with AF. Methods The present study with a cross-sectional design included 167 patients with AF. Patients scheduled for cardioversion at a University hospital in Sweden, filled in self-reported, validated questionnaires. Illness perception was measured with the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-r) and HRQoL was measured with the Arrhythmia-Specific questionnaire in Tachycardia and Arrhythmias (ASTA). The illness perception part of IPQ-r consists of seven dimensions (Timeline acute/chronic, Consequences, Emotional Representations, Personal control, Treatment control, Illness coherence, and Timeline cyclic). Dimensions of the IPQ-R with significant correlations with HRQoL were included in a multiple regression model. Results The participants consisted of 69.5% men and the mean age for the group was 68,8±10,4. The correlations for the dimensions of illness perception are presented in Table 1. The multiple regression analysis (Table 2) showed that Consequences (p<0,001) and Emotional Representations (p=0,003) were significantly associated with and adversely affected HRQoL. The model explained 35% of the total variance in HRQoL (R2= 0,350, p=0,001). Conclusion(s) Emotional representations such as anger, anxiety, depression, and the consequences that patients experience that the condition has on daily life, negatively affect patients with AF. The relationship between illness perception and quality of life, indicates that efforts to change illness perceptions can be useful in improving HRQoL. In addition to information, patients need to be given the opportunity to talk about the disease, about their feelings, and about the consequences that the disease has on daily life. A challenge for healthcare will be to design support for each unique individual based on their illness perceptions. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Forskningslyftet, Umea UniversityStrategic Research Area Health Care Sience (SFO-V)