Living with Atrial Fibrillation: An Analysis of Patients' Perspectives

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the perceptions of patients with atrial fibrillation regarding the disease, to reveal their feelings, thoughts and wishes, and to investigate their perspectives and coping behaviors towards their condition. METHODS: Phenomenological methodology was used. The study population consisted of a total of 225 patients treated by the cardiology department of a university hospital, while the study sample consisted of 32 patients who met the inclusion criteria. A semistructured interview addressed perceptions of patients with atrial fibrillation regarding the disease. Data were collected by asking the participants the three questions on the In-depth Individual Interview Form. Data were analyzed using the continuous comparative method of Colaizzi. RESULTS: In the study sample, 50.0% of participants were female, 69.0% were married, and the mean age was 66.90 years (+/- 7.90 years). As a result of the content analysis, four main themes and 15 subthemes were identified: patient's mental status regarding the disease, patient's social status regarding the disease, patient's physical condition regarding the disease, and disease management and coping with the disease. The study found that individuals with atrial fibrillation faced major limitations in their daily living activities and social lives due to the disease symptoms and warfarin use. CONCLUSIONS: Patients need to be provided with relevant individual training and counselling so that they lead more satisfactory lives. In addition, appropriate health appointment and monitoring systems should be developed for patients to reduce the problems associated with frequent follow-up appointments.

Relationship between activities of daily living, sleep and depression among the aged living at home

This study aimed at determining the relationship between daily living activities, sleep and depression among individuals 60 years or older living at home. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 166 patients of a family health center between December 2010 and March 2011. Data were collected via Questionnaire Form, Katz Index of Activities of Daily Living [ADL], Geriatric Depression Scaleshort form [GDS_SF], and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]. The participants' mean age was 67.34 +/- 6.5, 78.9% had chronic diseases and 29.5% had walking problems. In words 56.8% had poor sleep, 26.5% had depressive symptoms and the majority were independent in ADL. A negative relationship was observed between ADL score and PSQI and GDS but a positive one between PSQI and GDS [p<0.05]. Although individuals' elderly people living at home are independent in basic ADL, they are displaying considerable depressive symptoms and having sleep problems