Burden of Psychosocial and Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Impact of depression and cardiovascular risk factors on cognitive impairment in patients with atrial fibrillation: A Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia associated with significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, as well as cognitive impairment (CI). The interplay between AF and CI is complex, involving various pathophysiological changes and numerous risk factors. Among them, depression has emerged as a significant contributor to both AF and CI, further complicating the relationship between these conditions.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the influence of depression on the development of cognitive impairment in AF patients and assess the predictive value of the CHA2DS2-VASc score for CI risk.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for relevant studies without language or date restrictions. Ten studies, comprising 1,605,577 participants, were included. A random-effects model was used for meta-analysis, and heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. Funnel plots and Egger's test evaluated publication bias.

RESULTS

Depression significantly increased the risk of CI in AF patients (OR: 2.23, 95 % CI: 1.54-3.21, p < 0.01; I2=99 %). This association persisted in studies excluding baseline CI (OR: 1.95, 95 % CI: 1.33-2.85, p < 0.01; I2=88 %). Subgroup analysis confirmed these results for both prospective (OR: 1.78, 95 % CI: 0.92-3.44, p = 0.02; I2=65 %) and retrospective studies (OR: 2.63, 95 % CI: 1.75-3.93, p < 0.01; I2=100 %). Analysis of CHA2DS2-VASc risk factors showed associations with CI, particularly cerebrovascular disease (OR: 1.86, 95 % CI: 1.61-2.16).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support the association between depression and cognitive impairment in AF patients, demonstrating the importance of addressing mental health in cardiovascular care. Future research is necessary for a comprehensive understanding of this association.

Does coping style mediate the relationship between knowledge and psychosocial outcomes in women with atrial fibrillation?

Introduction

In patients affected by atrial fibrillation (AF) disease-specific knowledge and coping style may be associated with psychosocial well-being. This study aimed to determine if coping style (problem-focused, emotion-focused, avoidance-focused) mediated the relationship between patient knowledge and three psychosocial outcomes (anxiety, depression and life satisfaction).

Methods

In 2021 a total of 188 women with reported AF, and ages ranging from 18 to 83 years (mean 48.7, sd 15.5 years), completed an online questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic, clinical and AF knowledge questions and psychosocial instruments (Anxiety and depression, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HADS) scale; life satisfaction, Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS); and coping style (Brief COPE). Using Jamovi statistical software three individual mediational models (for anxiety, depression and life satisfaction) were constructed assessing the direct and indirect relationships between knowledge, coping style and each psychosocial outcome. Age was a covariate in each model.

Results

The mediation analyses demonstrated significant direct negative associations between AF knowledge and HADS anxiety and depression and positive associations with SWLS. There were also direct associations between each of the three coping styles and the three psychosocial outcomes. There were significant indirect effects of coping style between AF knowledge and each of the three outcomes confirming partial mediation effects.

Discussion

These findings highlight the crucial role of coping style in mediating the association between AF knowledge and psychosocial outcomes. As such, interventions aimed at increasing patient knowledge of AF may be more effective if adaptive problem-solving coping strategies are also demonstrated to these patients. Additionally, modification of maladaptive coping strategies as part of the psychological management of patients with AF is highly recommended.

Incremental burden on health-related quality of life, health service utilization and direct medical expenditures associated with cognitive impairment among non-institutionalized people with diabetes aged 65 years and older

AIMS

To quantify the incremental health and economic burden associated with cognitive impairment (CI) among non-institutionalized people with diabetes ≥65 years in the United States.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using 2016-2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys data, we identified participants ≥65 years with diabetes. We used propensity score weighting to quantify the CI-associated incremental burden on health-related quality of life measured by the 12-item Short Form Survey (SF-12), including the mental component summary score, physical component summary score and health utility. We also compared the annual health service utilization and expenditures on ambulatory visits, prescriptions, home care, emergency room (ER), hospitalizations and total annual direct medical expenditures.

RESULTS

We included 5094 adults aged ≥65 with diabetes, of whom 804 had CI. After propensity score weighting, CI was associated with a lower mental component summary score (-8.4, p < .001), physical component summary score (-5.2, p < .001) and health utility (-0.12, p < .001). The CI group had more ambulatory visits (+4.4, p = .004) and prescriptions (+9.9, p < .001), with higher probabilities of having home care (+11.3%, p < .001) and ER visits (+8.2%, p = .001). People with CI spent $5441 (p < .001) more annually, $2039 (p = .002) more on prescriptions, $2695 (p < .001) more on home care and $118 (p < .001) more on ER visits. There is no statistically significant difference in the utilization and expenditure of hospitalizations.

CONCLUSION

CI was associated with worse health-related quality of life, higher health service utilization and expenditures. Our findings can be used to monitor the health and economic burden of CI in non-institutionalized older persons with diabetes.

[Impact of anxiety disorders on adherence to anticoagulant therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation]

AIM

To evaluate the impact of anxiety disorders on adherence to anticoagulant therapy (ACT) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

179 outpatients (131 women, 48 men, mean age 69.96.2 years) with AF were examined. The research methods included a physical examination according to the standards of medical care in an outpatient facility, clinical and psychopathological examination using psychometric scales.

RESULTS

Based on the assessment of adherence to ACT using the MoriskyGreen test, 2 groups of patients were identified: Group 1 patients with high adherence to ACT, Group 2 patients with partial/low adherence to ACT. In group 1, anxiety disorders were verified in 51.7% of cases, in group 2 54.3%. There were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence and severity of anxiety in the study groups. In accordance with the binary logistic regression model, the probability of high adherence to therapy is determined by higher (compared with the group of patients with partial/low adherence to therapy) scores in terms of mental health (p0.001), vital activity (p=0.02) and the total score of the SF-36 scale (p=0.08), as well as the extraversion parameter (p=0.02) of the NEO-FFI scale.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, no significant association was found between anxiety symptoms and a decrease in adherence to ACT in patients with AF. However, the results obtained suggest a contribution to the adherence to therapy of personality characteristics.

Association of Diabetes With Atrial Fibrillation Phenotype and Cardiac and Neurological Comorbidities: Insights From the Swiss-AF Study

Background

Diabetes is a major risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it remains unclear whether individual AF phenotype and related comorbidities differ between patients who have AF with and without diabetes. This study investigated the association of diabetes with AF phenotype and cardiac and neurological comorbidities in patients with documented AF.

Methods and Results

Participants in the multicenter Swiss‐AF (Swiss Atrial Fibrillation) study with data on diabetes and AF phenotype were eligible. Primary outcomes were parameters of AF phenotype, including AF type, AF symptoms, and quality of life (assessed by the European Quality of Life‐5 Dimensions Questionnaire [EQ‐5D]). Secondary outcomes were cardiac (ie, history of hypertension, myocardial infarction, and heart failure) and neurological (ie, history of stroke and cognitive impairment) comorbidities. The cross‐sectional association of diabetes with these outcomes was assessed using logistic and linear regression, adjusted for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors. We included 2411 patients with AF (27.4% women; median age, 73.6 years). Diabetes was not associated with nonparoxysmal AF (odds ratio [OR], 1.01; 95% CI, 0.81–1.27). Patients with diabetes less often perceived AF symptoms (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.59–0.92) but had worse quality of life (β=−4.54; 95% CI, −6.40 to −2.68) than those without diabetes. Patients with diabetes were more likely to have cardiac (hypertension [OR, 3.04; 95% CI, 2.19–4.22], myocardial infarction [OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.18–2.03], heart failure [OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.57–2.51]) and neurological (stroke [OR, 1.39, 95% CI, 1.03–1.87], cognitive impairment [OR, 1.75, 95% CI, 1.39–2.21]) comorbidities.

Conclusions

Patients who have AF with diabetes less often perceive AF symptoms but have worse quality of life and more cardiac and neurological comorbidities than those without diabetes. This raises the question of whether patients with diabetes should be systematically screened for silent AF.

Registration

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique Identifier: NCT02105844.

The Association of Beta-Blocker Use to Cognitive Impairment among Adults with Hypertension or Cardiovascular Diseases in the United States

BACKGROUND

Some studies have shown that beta-blocker use is associated with better cognitive impairment. However, these studies did not control for pain. The relationship between pain and cognitive impairment has been exhaustively investigated. The association of beta blockers to cognitive impairment in the presence of chronic pain is still unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the independent association of beta-blocker use to cognitive impairment among adults with hypertension or Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs).

METHODS

We used a cross-sectional study design. We derived data on 8,279 adults from the 2015 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). Study participants were adults (age > 21 years), with hypertension or CVDs and without intracranial injury, Parkinson, Alzheimer's disease and Related Dementia. Cognitive impairment was measured based on 1) confusion or memory loss; 2) problems making decisions, or 3) supervision for participant's safety. Anti-hypertensive medications were categorized into 1) beta-blockers; 2) other anti-hypertensives; and 3) no antihypertensive medication. We used multivariable survey logistic regressions to examine the association between beta-blockers and cognitive impairment after controlling for biological factors, pain, chronic conditions, socioeconomic status, access to healthcare services, behavioral, socio-cultural and external environmental factors.

RESULTS

Overall, 24.2%, 41.9%, and 33.9% reported using beta-blockers, other antihypertensives, and no antihypertensive medications, respectively; 18.1% participants reported cognitive impairment. After controlling for pain, beta-blocker use was not significantly associated with cognitive impairment (AOR= 1.22, 95%CI= 1.00-1.49). In fully adjusted models, the AOR for beta-blockers use was 1.05 (95%CI = 0.84-1.31).

CONCLUSION

In this first large cross-sectional study, we found that the use of beta-blockers was not associated with cognitive impairment. Future prospective studies that include pain management and blood pressure control are needed to confirm the findings.

Psychosocial and cognitive multimorbidity and health-related quality of life and symptom burden in older adults with atrial fibrillation: The systematic assessment of geriatric elements in atrial fibrillation (SAGE-AF) cohort study

Background:

Depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairments occur in up to 40 % of adults with AF and are associated with poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and higher symptom burden. However, it is unknown how often these impairments co-occur, or multimorbidity, and how multimorbidity effects HRQoL and symptom burden.

Methods:

Patients with AF age ≥65 years with a CHA₂DS₂VASC risk score ≥ 2 and eligible for oral anticoagulation therapy were recruited from five clinics in a prospective cohort study. Participants completed validated measures of depression (PHQ9) and anxiety (GAD7), cognitive impairment (MoCA), and HRQOL and AF symptom burden (AFEQT). Multinomial logistic regression was used.

Results:

Participants (N = 1244, 49 % female) were on average 76 ± 7 years; 86 % were non-Hispanic white. Approximately 35 % of participants had 1 impairment, 17 % had 2 impairments and 8% had 3 impairments; 39 % had none of the 3 impairments examined. Compared to participants with no impairments, patients with 1, 2 and 3 impairments had higher odds of poor HRQoL (adjusted OR [AOR] = 1.77, 95 % CI 1.21, 2.60; AOR = 6.64, 95 % CI 4.43, 9.96; and AOR = 7.50, 95 % CI 4.40, 12.77, respectively) and those with 2 and 3 impairments had higher odds of high symptom burden (AOR = 3.69 95 % CI 2.22, 6.13; and AOR = 5.41 95 % CI 2.85, 10.26).

Conclusions:

Psychosocial/cognitive multimorbidity is common among older adults with AF and is associated with poor HRQoL and high symptom burden. Clinicians might consider incorporating psychosocial and cognitive screens into routine care as this may identify a high-risk population.

Prevalence and Progression of Cognitive Impairment in Atrial Fibrillation Patients after Treatment with Catheter Ablation or Drug Therapy

Purpose

In atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, the effect of catheter ablation or drug therapy on cognition is currently not well investigated. Therefore, we prospectively evaluated AF patients who were either treated 'with drug therapy or underwent catheter ablation for the prevalence and progression of cognitive impairment (CI).

Methods

Randomized participants of the CABANA trial (catheter ablation versus antiarrhythmic drug therapy for atrial fibrillation) and the CASTLE-AF (catheter ablation versus standard conventional treatment in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and atrial fibrillation) study were assessed twice within 6 months by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in our institution.

Results

Forty-five patients from both trials were investigated, and twenty-eight patients received catheter ablation, whereas seventeen patients received drug therapy for rhythm or rate control. The mean age of the twenty-one CABANA trial patients (AF group) was 68.8 ± 7.0 years and of the twenty-four CASTLE-AF study patients (AF/HF group) was 66.8 ± 8.1 years, respectively. Mean time from ablation/randomization to the first interview was 16.8 ± 11 months in the AF group and 28.3 ± 18.4 months in the AF/HF group, respectively. All patients investigated were classified as cognitively impaired with mean cutoff scores <24 by MoCA. Overall, we could not detect significant differences in medically treated versus catheter ablation patients within both groups in mean MMSE or MoCA scores between the first and the second interview (p > 0.09). Moreover, patients who received catheter ablation did not show statistically significant differences in the prevalence or progression of cognitive impairment compared to patients who were treated medically, neither within the two groups nor between AF and AF/HF patients (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Prevalence of cognitive impairment in AF patients with comorbidities is substantial. However, in this preliminary prospective study, no apparent impact of AF pretreatment on the prevalence and course of cognitive impairment could be observed.

Cognitive Impairment Is Independently Associated with Non-Adherence to Antithrombotic Therapy in Older Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) patients could reduce their risk of stroke by using oral antithrombotic therapy. However, many older people with AF experience cognitive impairment and have limited health literacy, which can lead to non-adherence to antithrombotic treatment. This study aimed to investigate the influence of cognitive impairment and health literacy on non-adherence to antithrombotic therapy. The study performed a secondary analysis of baseline data from a cross-sectional survey of AF patients’ self-care behaviors at a tertiary university hospital in 2018. Data were collected from a total of 277 AF patients aged 65 years and older, through self-reported questionnaires administered by face-to-face interviews. Approximately 50.2% of patients were non-adherent to antithrombotic therapy. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that cognitive impairment independently increased the risk of non-adherence to antithrombotic therapy (odds ratio = 2.628, 95% confidence interval = 1.424–4.848) after adjustment for confounding factors. However, health literacy was not associated with non-adherence to antithrombotic therapy. Cognitive impairment is a significant risk factor for poor adherence to antithrombotic therapy. Thus, health professionals should periodically assess both cognitive function after AF diagnosis and adherence to medication in older patients. Further studies are needed to identify the factors that affect cognitive decline and non-adherence among AF patients.

Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Permanent Atrial Fibrillation: Prevalence and Associated Factors

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an important public health problem that is increasing at an alarming rate, worldwide. The most common type is permanent AF followed by the paroxysmal and persistent AF. Purpose. This study was aimed at exploring anxiety and depression and the associated factors in patients with permanent AF. Materials and Methods. The sample of the study included 170 AF patients. Data collection was performed by the method of interview using the "Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale" (HADS) to assess anxiety and depression and a questionnaire including patients' characteristics. Results. 70% of the participants were men, and 32.4% were above 70 years old. Furthermore, 34.9% of the patients had high levels of anxiety, and 20.2% had high levels of depression. Anxiety levels were statistically significantly associated with gender (p=0.022), age (p=0.022), educational level (p=0.025), years having the disease (p=0.005), and relations with nursing staff (p=0.040). Depression levels were statistically significantly associated with age (p=0.037), degree of information of the state of health (p < 0.001), years having the disease (p < 0.001), and relations with medical staff (p=0.041). Conclusions. Patients' characteristics are associated with anxiety and depression and need to be evaluated when treating this frequently encountered arrhythmia.

Mild cognitive impairment impacts health outcomes of patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing a disease management intervention

Objective

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is prevalent in atrial fibrillation (AF) and has the potential to contribute to poor outcomes. We investigated the influence of MCI on survival and rehospitalisation in patients with chronic forms of AF undergoing a home-based, AF-specific disease management intervention (home-based intervention (HBI)) or standard management (SM).

Methods

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment tool was administered at baseline (a score of <26/30 indicated MCI) in patients with AF randomised to HBI versus SM. Post hoc analyses of mortality and rehospitalisations during a minimum 24-month follow-up were conducted in the overall cohort and in each study group separately.

Results

Of 260 patients (mean age 72±11, 47% female), 65% demonstrated MCI on screening (34% in SM; 31% in HBI). Overall, the number of days spent alive and out-of-hospital during follow-up (P=0.012) and all-cause rehospitalisation were influenced by MCI during follow-up (OR 3.16 (95% CI 1.46 to 6.84)) but MCI did not influence any outcomes in the SM group. However, survival was negatively influenced by MCI in the HBI group (P=0.036); those with MCI in this group were 5.6 times more likely to die during follow-up (OR 5.57 (95% CI 1.10 to 28.1)). Those with MCI in the HBI group also spent less days alive and out-of-hospital than those with no MCI (P=0.022). MCI was also identified as a significant independent correlate of shortest duration of event-free survival (OR 3.48 (95% CI 1.06 to 11.4)), all-cause rehospitalisation (OR 3.30 (95% CI 1.25 to 8.69)) and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related rehospitalisation (OR 2.35 (95% CI 1.12 to 4.91)) in this group.

Conclusions

The effectiveness of home-based, disease management for patients with chronic forms of AF is negatively affected by comorbid MCI. The benefit of adjunctive support for patients with MCI on CVD-related health outcomes requires further investigation.

Patient activation for self-management is associated with health status in patients with atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Higher levels of patient activation for self-managing health are associated with positive clinical and health care utilization outcomes. Identifying a patient's activation level can guide clinicians to tailor interventions to improve their health. Effective self-management of atrial fibrillation (AF) requires patient activation to participate in treatment decisions, prevent complications, and manage risk factors. Yet, little is known about activation in patients with AF. The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify patient activation levels and factors associated with activation in patients with AF.

METHODS

Patients (N=123), 66% male, with a mean (SD) age of 59.9 (11.3) years seeking treatment for AF at an arrhythmia clinic completed the Patient Activation Measure (PAM), Atrial Fibrillation Severity Scale, Knowledge about Atrial Fibrillation test, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, and Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care. Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained from medical records. PAM scores were categorized into Levels 1-4. Associations among patient-reported outcomes, sociodemographic, and clinical variables were analyzed using Fisher's exact tests and Kruskal-Wallis procedures.

RESULTS

The PAM scores of nearly half (45.5%) of the patients were at Level 3, while the scores of 38% were at Level 4. Male sex (P=0.02), higher education (P=0.004), being employed (P=0.005), lower body mass index (P=0.03), tobacco abstinence (P=0.02), less AF symptom burden (P=0.006), less depression (P≤0.0001) and anxiety (P=0.006), greater knowledge of AF (P=0.01), and higher levels of physical activity (P=0.02) were associated with higher activation levels.

CONCLUSION

Higher levels of patient activation in those with AF were associated with a more positive health status and educational attainment. Additional research to describe activation in patients with AF is warranted to identify patients at risk for low activation and to tailor interventions to activation level.