COMPARISON OF SYMPTOMS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN ATRIAL FIBRILLATION: RESULTS FROM THE ORBIT-AF REGISTRY

Abstract Category: 16. Arrhythmias: AF/SVTPresentation Number: 1239-271Authors: Jonathan P. Piccini, Dajuanicia Holmes, Laine Thomas, Gregg C. Fonarow, Bernard J. Gersh, Peter R. Kowey, Paul Chang, Paul S. Chan, John A. Spertus, Eric D. Peterson, Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC, USA Background: In addition to stroke prevention, improvement of symptoms and quality of life (QoL) is a primary goal in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF).Methods: The Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life (AFEQT) is a recently developed disease-specific QOL tool for AF. AFEQT scores were compared across European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) symptom levels within a large, community-based AF-registry (ORBIT-AF). We also evaluated patient factors associated with AFEQT scores.Results: Baseline health status was assessed in 1,975 AF patients from 99 US sites participating in the ORBIT registry. The mean population age was 74 ± 11; 43% were female and 48% , 16% and 2% had mild, severe, or debilitating AF symptoms respectivley. EHRA symptom status correlated with lower (worse) AFEQT scores (Figure, p<.0001). Additionally, those with new onset AF had lower AFEQT scores than those with persistent or permanent AF (70±24 vs 76±21 vs 79±18, respectively) . Younger patients also had lower AFEQT scores: <65 yrs (74±22), vs 65-79 yrs (77±19), and ≥80 yrs (80±19)]. Female sex, COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, and heart failure were all associated with significantly decreased AFEQT scores (p<.0001 for all).Conclusions: These data represent the largest experience to date assessing quality of life in AF patients. Symptom severity, new onset AF younger patients and certain comorbid illnesses had worse QoL with AF.