Gender disparity in quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation during the Syrian conflict: An observational cohort study

Background: The EuroQoL 5 dimensions is the first validated questionnaire to assess quality of life (QoL) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in Syria. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the gender disparity in QoL in Syrian patients with AF during the ongoing conflict. Methods: The study involved patients admitted to the emergency department of Tishreen University Hospital in Latakia, Syria, with AF as the primary diagnosis between June 2023 and June 2024. Arabic versions of the EuroQoL 5 dimensions were administered to patients on admission, and their demographic data were taken from their medical notes. Results: A total of 406 satisfied the study criteria, of whom 180 (44%) were males; and the median age was 67 (57- 73) years. Compared with men, women had more congestive cardiac failure (CCF) (32% vs 22%; P=.001) and were more uneducated (48% vs 27%; P<.001). Females demonstrated poorer QoL across all scoring dimensions (activities: 2.4 vs 1.7; mobility: 2.5 vs 1.6; self-care: 2.6 vs 1.8; pain: 2.6 vs 1.7; anxiety: 2.9 vs 1.8; EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale: 49.8 vs 79.8), all of which had P<.001. Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that women (odds ratio [OR]: 5.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.2–7.6; P<.001 and OR 6.2; 95% CI 3.1–9.7; P<.001) and CCF (OR 3.3; 95% CI 1.5–6.9; P<.001 and OR 4.2; 95% CI 2.2–7.3; P<.001) were independently associated with poor QoL. Conclusion: Syrian women admitted with AF had poorer QoL than did their men counterparts. CCF and female sex were independent predictors of poor QoL.<p></p>