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Publications

Journal Article Epublish

PubMed: 40805894 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare13151863

Neurocognitive and Psychosocial Interactions in Atrial Fibrillation: Toward a Holistic Model of Care.

Healthcare (Basel) 13(15)

Authors: Tunde Pal, Zoltan Preg, Dragos-Florin Baba, Dalma Balint-Szentendrey, Attila Polgar, Csilla-Gerda Pap, Marta German-Sallo

Affiliations

  • Department of Internal Medicine V, George Emil Palade University of Medicine Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Gheorghe Marinescu 38, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania.
  • Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Clinic, County Emergency Clinical Hospital of Targu Mures, Gheorghe Marinescu 50, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania.
  • Department of Family Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Gheorghe Marinescu 38, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania.
  • Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Gheorghe Marinescu 38, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania.
  • Emergency Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases and Transplantation of Targu Mures, Gheorghe Marinescu 50, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania.
  • Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Clinic, County Emergency Clinical Hospital of Targu Mures, Gheorghe Marinescu 50, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania. Department of Family Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Gheorghe Marinescu 38, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania.
  • Faculty of Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Gheorghe Marinescu 38, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania.
  • Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Clinic, County Emergency Clinical Hospital of Targu Mures, Gheorghe Marinescu 50, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania. Department of Internal Medicine III, George Emil Palade University of Medicine Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Psychosocial (PS) factors and cognitive dysfunction (CD) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) may negatively impact treatment compliance. The PS profile covers multiple psychological and socio-economic factors, although research is mostly limited to depression, anxiety, and work stress. This study assessed the prevalence of a broad range of PS factors in patients with AF and their relationship with cognitive decline. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from patients referred to a cardiovascular rehabilitation clinic between March 2017 and April 2023 who underwent standardized assessments of PS factors, cognition, and quality of life. Results: Of the 798 included patients, 230 (28.8%) had AF, with a mean age of 68.07 years (SD 9.60 years). Six of nine PS factors were present in more than half of the overall sample. Compared to non-AF patients, those with AF showed significantly higher levels of social isolation, depression, and hostility, whereas low socioeconomic status, family and work-related stress, and other mental disorders were more frequent in the non-AF group. CD was present in 67.4% of the total cohort and was more prevalent in AF patients with a higher PS burden. Patients with permanent AF reported the poorest health status. Conclusions: Integrating assessments of PS factors and cognition in cardiac rehabilitation is feasible and supports a more comprehensive, patient-centred model of care in AF.

MeSH

Depression, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Stress, Physiological, Cardiovascular Diseases, Rehabilitation, Cognitive Dysfunction, Atrial Fibrillation, Work, Cognition, Mental Health