Walfridsson Ulla1, Strömberg Anna, Kristofer Årestedt. 1. Walfridsson Ulla, PhD, RN Registered Nurse, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Nursing Science, Linköping University, Department of Cardiology University Hospital, County Council of Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden. Strömberg Anna, PhD, RN Professor, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Nursing Science, Linköping University, Department of Cardiology University Hospital, County Council of Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden. Kristofer Årestedt, PhD, RN Assistant Lecturer, School of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden; Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Nursing Science, Linköping University, Sweden; Palliative Research Centre, Ersta Sköndal University College and Ersta Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Arrhythmias can cause a profoundly negative impact on a person's daily life, leading to impaired health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Assessment of HRQOL can provide valuable information before, during, and after healthcare interventions for arrhythmias. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to develop and validate a disease-specific scale evaluating HRQOL in patients with different forms of arrhythmia. METHODS: The Arrhythmia-Specific questionnaire in Tachycardia and Arrhythmia (ASTA HRQOL) was developed from a literature review, patient interviews, and expert panel evaluations. This version was then psychometrically evaluated in patients treated with radiofrequency catheter ablation because of different forms of arrhythmias and patients who sought emergency care because of atrial fibrillation. Construct validity was evaluated with item-total correlations, confirmatory factor analyses, and convergent and discriminant validity. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach's α. RESULTS: All items reached the expected level of item-total correlations of greater than 0.3 for the total scale. The content validity index was sufficient for all items, as was the total scale (0.86-1.0). The 2-factor confirmatory factor analysis model that included the physical and mental factors showed a better fit between model and data than the 1-factor model did (P < .001). Convergent and discriminant validities were evaluated in the correlation analyses between the ASTA HRQOL subscales and SF-36 physical and mental dimensions. A strong correlation was found between the hypothesized physical and mental scales. Internal consistency was satisfactory with a lower bound confidence interval (95%) for Cronbach's α .70 or greater for all the ASTA HRQOL scales. CONCLUSIONS: The ASTA HRQOL questionnaire can be a valuable contribution to HRQOL assessments in patients with different forms of arrhythmia. Until there is more evidence regarding validity and reliability, using both the total and subscale scores is recommended.
BACKGROUND:Arrhythmias can cause a profoundly negative impact on a person's daily life, leading to impaired health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Assessment of HRQOL can provide valuable information before, during, and after healthcare interventions for arrhythmias. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to develop and validate a disease-specific scale evaluating HRQOL in patients with different forms of arrhythmia. METHODS: The Arrhythmia-Specific questionnaire in Tachycardia and Arrhythmia (ASTA HRQOL) was developed from a literature review, patient interviews, and expert panel evaluations. This version was then psychometrically evaluated in patients treated with radiofrequency catheter ablation because of different forms of arrhythmias and patients who sought emergency care because of atrial fibrillation. Construct validity was evaluated with item-total correlations, confirmatory factor analyses, and convergent and discriminant validity. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach's α. RESULTS: All items reached the expected level of item-total correlations of greater than 0.3 for the total scale. The content validity index was sufficient for all items, as was the total scale (0.86-1.0). The 2-factor confirmatory factor analysis model that included the physical and mental factors showed a better fit between model and data than the 1-factor model did (P < .001). Convergent and discriminant validities were evaluated in the correlation analyses between the ASTA HRQOL subscales and SF-36 physical and mental dimensions. A strong correlation was found between the hypothesized physical and mental scales. Internal consistency was satisfactory with a lower bound confidence interval (95%) for Cronbach's α .70 or greater for all the ASTA HRQOL scales. CONCLUSIONS: The ASTA HRQOL questionnaire can be a valuable contribution to HRQOL assessments in patients with different forms of arrhythmia. Until there is more evidence regarding validity and reliability, using both the total and subscale scores is recommended.
Authors: Priscila Moreno Sperling Cannavan; Fernando Piza de Souza Cannavan; Henrique Ceretta Oliveira; Ulla Walfridsson; Maria Helena Baena de Moraes Lopes Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-08-27 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Priscila M S Cannavan; Fernando P S Cannavan; Ulla Walfridsson; Maria H B M Lopes Journal: Cardiol Res Pract Date: 2020-04-10 Impact factor: 1.866
Authors: Ulla Walfridsson; Anders Hassel Jönsson; Lars O Karlsson; Ioan Liuba; Henrik Almroth; Emma Sandgren; Håkan Walfridsson; Emmanouil Charitakis Journal: Clin Cardiol Date: 2021-12-16 Impact factor: 2.882