Relationship of respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, and functional capacity with quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship of pulmonary parameters and functional capacity with quality of life (QoL) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: Thirty-six patients with chronic AF were included in this cross-sectional study. QoL was assessed with the Medical Outcomes Survey 36-item Short Form (SF-36) and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). Respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function were also measured. Functional capacity was assessed with the 6-min walk test (6MWT). The Borg CR10 Scale was used to determine the resting dyspnea and fatigue levels. RESULTS: The SF-36 physical component summary score was correlated with the maximum inspiratory pressure (r = 0.517), maximum expiratory pressure (r = 0.391), 6MWT distance (r = 0.542), resting Borg dyspnea score (r = −0.692), and resting Borg fatigue score (r = −0.727). The MLHFQ total score was correlated with the maximum inspiratory pressure (r = −0.542), maximum expiratory pressure (r = −0.384), 6MWT distance (r = −0.535), resting Borg dyspnea score (r = 0.641), and resting Borg fatigue score (r = 0.703). The resting Borg fatigue score was the significant independent predictor of the SF-36 physical component score and the MLHFQ total score. CONCLUSION: Respiratory muscle strength, functional capacity measured with the 6MWT, and resting symptoms including dyspnea and fatigue may have an impact on QoL in patients with AF.