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Evaluation of clinical and psychological parameters in subgroups of people with paroxysmal, persistent, and long- standing persistent atrial fibrillation
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Abstract
Background. Atrial fibrillation (AF) may cause worsening of haemodynamic function of the heart, occur-rence of peripheral embolism, emotional disorders, and secondary occurrence of cognitive deterioration. It seems that patients with AF constitute a heterogeneous group in terms of features characterising both the arrhythmia itself and their psychophysical efficiency. Taking this into account, the aim of the work was to assess the psychophysical condition of patients with various forms of AF.
Methods. The study included 80 subjects diagnosed with AF. Patients underwent a clinical and neuropsy-chological evaluation, including clinical interview and physical examination, biochemical and echocar-diographic parameters, physical performance (6MWT), cognitive and executive functions (TMT A and B, Stroop 1 and 2, RAVLT), and severity of depressive symptoms (BDI).
Results. Analysis of the results of neuropsychological tests revealed significantly worse performance of TMT B and RAVLT A3 by patients with long-standing persistent AF than among patients with non-perma-nent AF. The subjects with long-standing persistent arrhythmia also walked a significantly shorter distance in 6MWT. In 55% of subjects, clinically significant depressive symptoms were observed. However, there were no significant differences in the values of echocardiographic parameters between particular groups. Conclusions. Long-standing persistent type of AF was associated with worse results of psychophysical efficiency, and exercise performance, likewise in cognitive and executive functioning. More than half of patients with AF presented features of depressive disorders.
Abstract
Background. Atrial fibrillation (AF) may cause worsening of haemodynamic function of the heart, occur-rence of peripheral embolism, emotional disorders, and secondary occurrence of cognitive deterioration. It seems that patients with AF constitute a heterogeneous group in terms of features characterising both the arrhythmia itself and their psychophysical efficiency. Taking this into account, the aim of the work was to assess the psychophysical condition of patients with various forms of AF.
Methods. The study included 80 subjects diagnosed with AF. Patients underwent a clinical and neuropsy-chological evaluation, including clinical interview and physical examination, biochemical and echocar-diographic parameters, physical performance (6MWT), cognitive and executive functions (TMT A and B, Stroop 1 and 2, RAVLT), and severity of depressive symptoms (BDI).
Results. Analysis of the results of neuropsychological tests revealed significantly worse performance of TMT B and RAVLT A3 by patients with long-standing persistent AF than among patients with non-perma-nent AF. The subjects with long-standing persistent arrhythmia also walked a significantly shorter distance in 6MWT. In 55% of subjects, clinically significant depressive symptoms were observed. However, there were no significant differences in the values of echocardiographic parameters between particular groups. Conclusions. Long-standing persistent type of AF was associated with worse results of psychophysical efficiency, and exercise performance, likewise in cognitive and executive functioning. More than half of patients with AF presented features of depressive disorders.
Keywords
atrial fibrillation, cognitive functioning, depressive symptoms
About this articleTitle
Evaluation of clinical and psychological parameters in subgroups of people with paroxysmal, persistent, and long- standing persistent atrial fibrillation
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original article
Pages
157-164
Published online
2018-03-30
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850
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799
DOI
Bibliographic record
Medical Research Journal 2017;2(4):157-164.
Keywords
atrial fibrillation
cognitive functioning
depressive symptoms
Authors
Maciej Bieliński
Bogdan Mietła
Alicja Popiołek
Aleksandra Chyrek-Tomaszewska
Grzegorz Pulkowski
Jacek Budzyński
Alina Borkowska
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