title: The effect of rate control on quality of life in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation: data from the RACE II (Rate Control Efficacy in Permanent Atrial Fibrillation II) study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of rate control on quality of life (QOL).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The RACE II (Rate Control Efficacy in Permanent Atrial Fibrillation II) trial showed that lenient rate control is not inferior to strict rate control in terms of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The influence of stringency of rate control on QOL is unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  In RACE II, a total of 614 patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) were randomized to lenient (resting heart rate [HR] <110 beats/min) or strict (resting HR <80 beats/min, HR during moderate exercise <110 beats/min) rate control. QOL was assessed in 437 patients using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire, AF severity scale, and Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 (MFI-20) at baseline, 1 year, and end of study. QOL changes were related to patient characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median follow-up was 3 years. Mean age was 68 ± 8 years, and 66% were males. At the end of follow-up, all SF-36 subscales were comparable between both groups. The AF severity scale was similar at baseline and end of study. At baseline and at end of study there were no differences in the MFI-20 subscales between the 2 groups. Symptoms at baseline, younger age, and less severe underlying disease, rather than assigned therapy or heart rate, were associated with QOL improvements. Female sex and cardiovascular endpoints during the study were associated with worsening of QOL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stringency of heart rate control does not influence QOL. Instead, symptoms, sex, age, and severity of the underlying disease influence QOL. (Rate Control Efficacy in Permanent Atrial Fibrillation; NCT00392613).
authors: Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors: Hessel F
authors: HF
authors: Groenveld
authors: Harry J G M
authors: HJ
authors: Crijns
authors: Maarten P
authors: MP
authors: Van den Berg
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Van Sonderen
authors: A Marco
authors: AM
authors: Alings
authors: Jan G P
authors: JG
authors: Tijssen
authors: Hans L
authors: HL
authors: Hillege
authors: Ype S
authors: YS
authors: Tuininga
authors: Dirk J
authors: DJ
authors: Van Veldhuisen
authors: Adelita V
authors: AV
authors: Ranchor
authors: Isabelle C
authors: IC
authors: Van Gelder
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004077:Digoxin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D004077:Digoxin