Survey shows doctors find management of atrial fibrillation difficult

Four leading patient and medical associations have announced the formation of AF AWARE (Atrial Fibrillation AWareness And Risk Education), a joint initiative to highlight and address issues that contribute to the growing burden of atrial fibrillation (AF) worldwide.

Marking the start of World Heart Rhythm Week, the World Heart Federation (WHF), Atrial Fibrillation Association (AFA), Stroke Alliance For Europe (SAFE), and European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) have come together to call upon their peers around the world to raise awareness and understanding of AF and its cardiovascular complications, such as stroke.

“Patients with AF, have a substantially lower quality of life than healthy individuals as a result of their condition. If left untreated, they are at higher risk of experiencing stroke or other cardiovascular complications, which can have serious and debilitating consequences” said Trudie Lobban, CEO of the AFA. “As AF carries a fivefold increase in the risk of stroke, the risk of death or severe morbidity is considerably increased as well.”

Results from an AF AWARE international survey of more than 1600 cardiologists and patients in 11 countries, confirm that patients need a better understanding of AF, its consequences and management options.

AF AWARE Survey

The objective of the AF AWARE survey, which was supported through an unrestricted educational grant from sanofi-aventis, was to explore the differences and gaps in cardiologists’ and patients’ perceptions of atrial fibrillation (AF) by analysing perceptions of AF risks, patients’ level of information, impact of AF and it’s consequences on patients quality of life (QoL). The survey consisted of 810 cardiologists and 825 patients from 11 countries. Cardiologists arm: 96% of interviews were conducted online and the remainder by phone involving 24 questions (most using a 5-point scale). Patients arm: 43% of interviews were conducted online, 40% by phone and 17% face to face. Questionnaires to cardiologists explored their evaluation of risks associated with AF and its treatment, the type of communication/information given to patients, perceived levels of patient familiarity with AF, frequency/nature of consultations and level of patient satisfaction, QoL and health-economic impact of AF. The patient survey asked patients for an estimate/rate of risk of AF relative to other diseases, to describe their understanding of AF, define preferred sources of/satisfaction with AF information, describe the impact of AF on daily living.

Despite the nature and risks of AF, one in four patients in this survey said he or she did not understand and could not explain what AF is and only a third were worried or fearful about having AF. Patients indiscriminately rated all risks of complications as high and confirmed the significant impact of AF on their quality of life and ability to conduct day to day activities.

“Very few people truly understand the real and significant impact of atrial fibrillation.” Said Professor Günter Breithardt, from the WHF “There is an urgent need for better information for patients. AF AWARE aims to expose the poor understanding of this complex disease and to help healthcare professionals, patients, policy makers and the general public understand that comprehensive management of AF should address its multiple impacts.”

The majority of cardiologists (61%) in the survey said their patients needed more and better information on AF: they rated the quality of patient education materials for AF as inferior to that available for other common cardiovascular diseases, heart attack, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and stroke.

“AF patients need much better information about their disease and doctors can play a central role in providing this help.” Said Professor Vardas, president-elect of EHRA. “These results indicate that AF patients may feel resigned about living with this illness and its complications. World Heart Rhythm Week and AF AWARE are opportunities for us to come together to improve patients’ experience of living with AF through awareness and education.”