AFEQT Questionnaire
The Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-life Questionnaire (AFEQT) evaluates symptoms, daily activities, and treatment concerns patients have related to atrial fibrillation (AF or AFib). It is the first patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) developed and validated for AF patients.
The AFEQT Questionnaire involves twenty (20) questions, more specifically four (4) questions for AF-related symptoms, eight (8) questions evaluating a patient’s daily function, and six (6) questions to assess any patient treatment questions or concerns. The AFEQT is the first questionnaire developed and validated for AF patients. Patients score 0 (worst) to 100 (best). The questionnaire is done at intervals of baseline, 1-month, and 3-month. Scoring consists of an overall AFEQT score using eighteen (18) questions and a Treatment Satisfaction score using two (2) questions.
What is Atrial Fibrillation (AF)?
According to the American Heart Association, AF is a quivering or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications. At least 2.7 million Americans are living with AFib. Normally, the heart contracts and relaxes to a regular beat. In patients who suffer from AF, it means the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beats irregularly (quiver) instead of beating effectively to move blood into the ventricles.
Strengths
The questionnaire takes about five (5) minutes to complete and is very easily scored. Clinical practices use this tool to determine if starting early treatment would benefit patients’ quality of life. Changes in the AFEQT score of (+) or (-) five (5) points are important changes in a patient’s health. These results can assist in monitoring patient progress and interpreting the effects of interventions in patients with AF.
Considerations
There is limited clinical data to compare at this time. It may be difficult to differentiate between patients who have intermittent versus others who are in a constant state of AFib. Older patients may feel symptoms differently than younger patients. Other heart-related issues may interfere with symptoms patients refer to as Atrial Fibrillation. This questionnaire is beneficial for seeing a quick change in a patient’s health but should be used for a specific patient population.
To learn more about AF or the AFEQT Questionnaire
American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/atrial-fibrillation/what-is-atrial-fibrillation-afib-or-af
The AFEQT Questionnaire is a copyrighted document. More information https://www.cardiovascular.abbott/us/en/campaigns/afeqt.html
References:
Spertus, J., Dorian, P., Bubien, R., Lewis, S., Godejohn, D., Reynolds, M. R., … Burk, C. (2011, February). Development and validation of the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-Life (AFEQT) Questionnaire in patients with atrial fibrillation. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21160035
Piccini, J. P. (2016, June 1). Outcomes in Women and Men With Atrial Fibrillation. Retrieved from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamacardiology/fullarticle/2523467
(n.d.). What is Atrial Fibrillation (AFib or AF)? Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/atrial-fibrillation/what-is-atrial-fibrillation-afib-or-af
Aliot, Etienne, Botto, L., G., Crijns, J., H., … Paulus. (2014, January 26). Quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation: how to assess it and how to improve it. Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/europace/article/16/6/787/561082
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