Raine Virtanen1, Verneri Kryssi1, Tuija Vasankari1, Marika Salminen2, Sirkka-Liisa Kivelä3, K E Juhani Airaksinen4. 1. Heart Center, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Finland. 2. Institute of Clinical Medicine, Family Medicine, University of Turku, Finland Härkätie Health Centre, Finland Unit of Primary Health Care, Turku University Hospital, Finland. 3. Institute of Clinical Medicine, Family Medicine, University of Turku, Finland Division of Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Finland. 4. Heart Center, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Finland juhani.airaksinen@tyks.fi.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Early detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) in older people is important because AF is often asymptomatic and its first manifestation may be a disabling stroke. The objective of the LietoAF Study is to assess the motivation and capability of older people to learn pulse palpation and continue regular pulse measurements, and whether this self-assessment is helpful in the detection of new AF. DESIGN AND METHOD: The LietoAF Study is an intervention study. A total of 205 people aged ≥75 years were randomly selected to participate in the programme where a trained nurse gave individual education on pulse palpation. At 1 month, the eligible participants came to the first follow-up visit to assess the success of pulse self-monitoring. RESULTS: A total of 139 participants (68%) learned pulse palpation and performed regular measurements during the early follow-up period. The significant independent predictors for learning and motivation were high Mini-Mental State Examination score (>24) (OR 7.5, 95% CI 1.5-37.3, p = 0.014), computer use at home (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.9-11.5, p = 0.001), independence at daily activities (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.4-13.6, p = 0.013) and low heart rate (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.0-1.08, p = 0.037). Education did not cause extra visits to local healthcare centres and did not affect quality of life. Four participants observed a new asymptomatic AF during the 1-month follow-up. CONCLUSION:Active older people are motivated and seem to learn pulse palpation. Our early experience suggests that simple nurse-based education is effective and useful in the early detection of asymptomatic AF.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Early detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) in older people is important because AF is often asymptomatic and its first manifestation may be a disabling stroke. The objective of the LietoAF Study is to assess the motivation and capability of older people to learn pulse palpation and continue regular pulse measurements, and whether this self-assessment is helpful in the detection of new AF. DESIGN AND METHOD: The LietoAF Study is an intervention study. A total of 205 people aged ≥75 years were randomly selected to participate in the programme where a trained nurse gave individual education on pulse palpation. At 1 month, the eligible participants came to the first follow-up visit to assess the success of pulse self-monitoring. RESULTS: A total of 139 participants (68%) learned pulse palpation and performed regular measurements during the early follow-up period. The significant independent predictors for learning and motivation were high Mini-Mental State Examination score (>24) (OR 7.5, 95% CI 1.5-37.3, p = 0.014), computer use at home (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.9-11.5, p = 0.001), independence at daily activities (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.4-13.6, p = 0.013) and low heart rate (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.0-1.08, p = 0.037). Education did not cause extra visits to local healthcare centres and did not affect quality of life. Four participants observed a new asymptomatic AF during the 1-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Active older people are motivated and seem to learn pulse palpation. Our early experience suggests that simple nurse-based education is effective and useful in the early detection of asymptomatic AF.
Authors: Jussi Jaakkola; Pirjo Mustonen; Tuomas Kiviniemi; Juha E K Hartikainen; Antti Palomäki; Päivi Hartikainen; Ilpo Nuotio; Antti Ylitalo; K E Juhani Airaksinen Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-12-09 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Jussi Jaakkola; Tuija Vasankari; Raine Virtanen; K E Juhani Airaksinen Journal: Scand J Prim Health Care Date: 2017-08-07 Impact factor: 2.581
Authors: Pawel Petryszyn; Piotr Niewinski; Aleksandra Staniak; Patryk Piotrowski; Anna Well; Michal Well; Izabela Jeskowiak; Gregory Lip; Piotr Ponikowski Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-03-20 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Steven A Lubitz; Xiaoyan Yin; Michiel Rienstra; Renate B Schnabel; Allan J Walkey; Jared W Magnani; Faisal Rahman; David D McManus; Thomas M Tadros; Daniel Levy; Ramachandran S Vasan; Martin G Larson; Patrick T Ellinor; Emelia J Benjamin Journal: Circulation Date: 2015-03-13 Impact factor: 29.690