AF Affects Spouses As Badly As the Patient

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is being diagnosed more often these days among older folk. The condition, and its treatment, takes a considerable toll on the patient’s quality-of-life. What’s less well know, however, is the effect it may have on the patient’s close family. This aspect has been explored in a survey reported at the recent US Heart Rhythm Society meeting.

Two-hundred and sixty patients and 94 spouses were surveyed while they were attending an educational symposium about atrial fibrillation. Their average ages were 67 and 63 years, respectively. The patients were 60% men, who had had the condition for over a year. This table shows the effect on the overall quality-of-life for the patients and their spouses.

Effect on quality-of-life	Patient	Spouse
Mild	45%	43%
Moderate	29%	26%
Severe	26%	31%

There were no statistically significant differences between the results for patients and spouses.

Dr Kaplan of UCLA San Francisco, who reported the survey results, pointed out that one way to help reduce some of the stress on both parties would be to include both patient and spouse at office visits, especially when the risks and options surrounding the disease and its treatments are discussed. Further studies might address the effectiveness of such an approach in reducing stress on spouses, as well as exploring possible effects of a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation on patients’ children.