Validating a new quality of life questionnaire for atrial fibrillation patients.
BACKGROUND
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia in clinical practice, and has major impact on health-related quality of life, thus, there is a need for a specific instrument to assess AF symptoms and quality of life.


METHODS
We developed and validated a specific questionnaire for quality of life in AF patients (QLAF) based on clinical manifestations (palpitation, breathlessness, dizziness and chest pain), and the usual treatments (medication, cardioversion and ablation). For validation, the new questionnaire was compared with the generic SF-36 questionnaire. Reproducibility was tested using 40 questionnaires administered by two different observers at distinct times and places. Responsiveness was evaluated based on variation of the QLAF score over time.


RESULTS
There were a total of 462 questionnaires (231 SF-36 and 231 QLAF) administered at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Construct validity was demonstrated by the negative correlation between QLAF and SF-36 scores that was observed over the follow-up period. Analysis of internal consistency for reproducibility showed excellent Cronbach's alpha coefficients (inter- and intraobserver coefficients of 0.98 and 0.96, respectively). QLAF was responsive as indicated by significant differences in mean domain scores from the beginning to the end of follow-up. It took much less time to administer the QLAF than the SF-36 (3:08±0:33 min vs. 9:25±1:14 min, p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The QLAF questionnaire is easy to understand and can be administered rapidly in the outpatient setting. Furthermore, the QLAF score is valid and reproducible and responsive to a change in clinical status.
Braganca
Erika O V
EO
Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Brazil. oliviererika@hotmail.com
Filho
Bráulio Luna
BL
Maria
Veruska H
VH
Levy
Daniela
D
de Paola
Angelo A V
AA
D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents