What affects the acceptance of illness in patients with atrial fibrillation?

Abstract

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background. Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have symptoms that require advanced treatment. The most common include palpitations, dyspnea, dizziness, tiredness, chest pain and anxiety. Both the symptoms and treatment and its complications adversely affect the perception of the disease among patients with AF. The research proves that acceptance of illness (AIS) is a factor positively influencing the quality of life, but also the adaptation to the therapeutic recommendations of patients with chronic diseases. There is little research on factors increasing the level of AIS among patients with AF. The aim of the study is to determine the level of acceptance of illness in patients with AF and factors influencing the level of acceptance of illness. Material and methods. 84 patients (including 51 men) aged 57.86 ± 17.72 years hospitalized in the cardiology department due to heart rhythm disorders. Standardized tools were used in the study: Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) to assess disease acceptance and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to assess physical activity. Sociodemographic and clinical data were taken from the hospital register. Results. In the study group the average result of acceptance of illness (AIS) was 27.67 ± 7.70. 48.8% of patients had a high degree of disease acceptance, 38.09% average, and 13.11% had no acceptance. The examined patients showed a lack of physical activity (IPAQ = 0.92 ± 0.40). In comparative analyses women had lower level of AIS than men (27.36 ± 7.37 vs. 27.86 ± 7.97; p = 0.01), patients more often hospitalized due to AF lower than patients less frequently hospitalized (26.30 ± 6.11 vs. 30.55 ± 8.55; p = 0.02). Lower level of AIS was observed in patients with comorbidities (34 ± 6.25 vs. 22 ± 6.66; p < 0.001). Smokers had higher level of AIS than non-smokers (28.66 ± 6.65 vs. 27.00 ± 7.56; p = 0.02), similarly, physically active persons than inactive ones (26.48 ± 8.27 vs. 23.07 ± 10.58; p = 0.01). In correlation analysis, physical activity turned out to be an important determinant having a positive effect on the level of AIS (r = 0.220; p = 0.03). Conclusions. Patients with AF have moderate level of acceptance of illness and low level of physical activity. A higher level of AIS is observed in men, without comorbidities, less frequently hospitalized and smokers. The important determinant having positive influence on AIS is physical activity.