I. V. Vologdina, B. A. Minko, M. P. Krylova, E. G. Poroshina

The study of quality of life and anxiety levels in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation

The aim of this work was to study the quality of life, level of reactive and personal anxiety in elderly patients with permanent form of atrial fibrillation. The study included 36 older patients. The average age was 68,4±3,2 years (95 % CI 67 to 73). The comparison group consisted of 35 patients, whose age has not reached the age of 65.

Average age in the comparison group was 46±4,8 years (95 % CI 43–58). All the patients had a constant form of atrial fibrillation. There were used the Beck test, the Hamilton scale and the scale Spielberg–Hanin during this study. To assess quality of life the Russian version of generally accepted in international practice, the SF-36 questionnaire was used.

Quality of life parameters by all SF-36 scales were statistically significant lower in group of elderly patients then in comparison group. Elderly patients revealed a higher level of trait anxiety and affective disorders. In patients of a younger age higher level of reactive anxiety was revealed as compared to group of elderly patients.