Evaluation of fatigue and life quality in individuals with atrial fibrillation

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between fatigue and quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation. Methods: The research was conducted descriptively, cross-sectionally and correlatively. The research sample consisted of 72 AF individuals who were diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and accepted to participate in the study, were followed up at the Cardiology Polyclinic and Clinic of Dokuz Eylul University, Application and Research Hospital between April 2017 and December 2017. Socio-Demographic and Medical Characteristics Form, Short Fatigue Inventory, Toronto University Atrial Fibrillation Severity Scale were used in the study. In the analysis of data; Number-percentage, arithmetic mean, normality test and Spearman correlation tests were used. Results: The mean age of the individuals included in the study was 56.54 ± 15.87. The mean overall fatigue level of individuals with AF was 7,11 ± 1,35, and the level of daily activities was 7.04 ± 1,60. Global average short fatigue inventory was determined to be 7.06 ± 1.45. The mean AF frequency was 7.86 ± 1.62, the mean duration of AF was 3.30 ± 2.86, and the mean AF severity was 7.86 ± 1.15. The average AF score of the individuals with AF was 19.02 ± 4.70 and the mean of AF symptom severity score was 18.93 ± 4.40. There was a positive correlation between the general fatigue score of the individuals and the frequency of AF, the severity of symptoms caused by AF, severity of AF and total burden of AF (p <0.05). There was no relationship between general fatigue score and duration of AF (p> 0.05). There was no relationship between the level of exposure to daily activities and the frequency of AF, the duration of AF, and the severity of symptoms caused by AF (p> 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the level of exposure to daily activities and the severity of AF and total AF burden (p <0.05). A positive correlation was found between global brief fatigue score and AF frequency, total burden of AF and severity of AF (p <0.05). There was no correlation between global brief fatigue score and the severity of symptoms caused by AF and duration of AF (p> 0.05). Conclusion: Fatigue increases and fatigue-related quality of life is adversely affected in patients with atrial fibrillation. Key words: Atrial Fibrillation, Fatigue, Quality of life, Nursing