title: Choice of Health Options In prevention of Cardiovascular Events for people with Atrial Fibrillation (CHOICE-AF): A pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac arrhythmia, is associated with high risk of stroke and significant health burden. Recent emerging evidence suggests that modifying risk factor profiles of people with AF may assist to reduce stroke risk and health burden.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of a brief telephone-based program targeted at improving cardiovascular risk, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with AF METHODS: This was a pilot study of a brief three-month telephone-based intervention for patients with diagnosed AF. During an initial face-to-face consultation participants were assisted to set individualized risk factor reduction goals and a treatment plan. Participants received phone-based follow-up for three months, with final assessment at three months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen participants with AF were recruited, with age range 35-82 years (mean 65±13 years) and 53% were male. No changes were observed in either body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference measures. Participation was associated with significant improvement in reported symptom severity (p=0.005). There were non-significant improvements in physical activity, sedentary behavior, HRQoL, anxiety and depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participation in the CHOICE-AF pilot study did not improve BMI or waist circumference: however, it was associated with significant improvement in reported symptom severity. Further research is required to determine the most appropriate model of care for addressing risk factor management for people with AF.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Australia Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Australia nicole.lowres@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lowres
authors.affiliation: Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Australia The George Institute for Global Health, Australia.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Redfern
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Australia Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: S Ben
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Freedman
authors.affiliation: The George Institute for Global Health, Australia.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Orchard
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, Australia Centre for Education and Research on Aging, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Australia.
authors.forename: Alexandra A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.affiliation: School of Population Health, University of Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Briffa
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bauman
authors.affiliation: The George Institute for Global Health, Australia Sydney Nursing School, University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Lis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Neubeck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior
keywords: Atrial fibrillation; lifestyle intervention; nurse management; risk factor modification; stroke prevention