Abstract 11676: Mild Depression Worsens Disease-specific Quality of Life and Psychological Stress in Atrial Fibrillation

• Published in: Circulation (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 140; no. Suppl_1 Suppl 1; p. A11676
• Main Authors: Gisi, Brittany, Althouse, Andrew D, Mathier, Abigail S, Pusateri, Alexandra M, Magnani, Jared W, LaRosa, Anna, Rollman, Bruce L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: by the American College of Cardiology Foundation and the American Heart Association, Inc 19.11.2019
• ISSN: 0009-7322; 1524-4539
• DOI: 10.1161/circ.140.suppl_1.11676

IntroductionAtrial fibrillation (AF) and depression are common comorbid conditions, with depression associated with worse outcomes and quality of care in AF. We examined AF-specific quality of life and psychological stress in a cohort with prevalent AF.MethodsWe enrolled individuals with non-valvular AF and receiving anticoagulation at ambulatory sites. In addition to sociodemographics, clinical history, AF treatment, and health literacy, we screened for depression with the Patient Health Questionniare-9 (PHQ, range 0-27, ≥5 consistent with mild depression) and measured AF-specific quality of life with the AF Effect on QualiTy of life (AFEQT) and psychological stress with a validated, global perceived stress scale. We related depression separately to AF-specific quality of life and stress.ResultsWe included 260 individuals (age 71.7±10.1 years, 44.6% women), of whom 26.1% screened positive for mild depression (PHQ-9≥5). Individuals without depression had higher global AFEQT scores than those with depression (81.4±14.1 versus 62.0±18.8, P<0.001) and similarly significantly higher scores for the 4 AFEQT domains of symptoms, daily activities, treatment concerns and treatment satisfaction. Screening positive for mild depression was associated with a 17-point difference in global AFEQT (95% confidence interval, -21.6 to -12.2, P<0.001) in multivariable-adjusted models. Our regression demonstrates the significant negative correlation between PHQ and AFEQT scores (Pearson correlation=-0.52, P<0.01; Figure). Mild depression was likewise associated with significantly increased global stress scores in progressively multivariable-adjusted models.ConclusionsIn this cohort we identified a significant association between mild depression and AF-specific quality of life and psychological stress. Our findings the importance of considering and addressing depression when evaluating patients with AF.