What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the association between repeated AFEQT scores and clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation.

June 6, 2026Circulation JournalOpen Access

Higher current AFEQT overall summary scores were associated with a lower risk of death or heart failure hospitalization (HR 0.94; 95% CI 0.91-0.97 per 5-point increase).

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cohort. Population: Atrial fibrillation (n=2743). Intervention: Current AFEQT overall summary score vs. Baseline AFEQT overall summary score. Primary outcome: all-cause death and heart failure (HF) hospitalization (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.91-0.97).

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Why the study?

Does serial assessment of AFEQT scores predict all-cause death and heart failure hospitalization in stable outpatients with atrial fibrillation?

Population

2,743 stable outpatients with atrial fibrillation, mean age 67.8 years, 31.9% women, from a multicenter…

Design

Cohort

Follow-up

median 4.0 years

Key result

Higher current AFEQT overall summary scores were associated with a lower risk of death or heart failure hospitalization (HR 0.94; 95% CI 0.91-0.97 per 5-point increase).

Authors

YSYasuyuki Shiraishi RNRyo Nakamaru SKShun Kohsaka

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Serial AFEQT assessment may refine prognostication in stable AF outpatients; leaves open whether monitoring improves outcomes or warrants trials.

Key Points

To evaluate the association between repeated AFEQT scores and clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Analyzed data from a multicenter, prospective registry of 2,743 stable outpatients with atrial fibrillation
Examined associations between baseline and 12-month AFEQT scores with all-cause death and heart failure hospitalization using multivariable Cox models
Conducted time-varying analyses to assess the predictive ability of updated AFEQT scores.
Higher current AFEQT overall summary scores (per 5-point increase) show lower risk of death/hospitalization (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.91–0.97)
Change in AFEQT scores also associates with lower risk (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.92–0.99)
Only current AFEQT scores independently predict outcomes when modeled together and during time-varying analyses.

Study Design

Type

Cohort (n=2,743)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Does serial assessment of AFEQT scores predict all-cause death and heart failure hospitalization in stable outpatients with atrial fibrillation?

Population

2,743 stable outpatients with atrial fibrillation in Japan, followed for a median of 4.0 years.

Exposure

Serial assessment of Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life (AFEQT) overall summary scores (specifically 12-month 'current' score and change score)

Outcome

Composite of all-cause death and heart failure (HF) hospitalizationcomposite

Main Result

Hazard Ratio: 0.94 (95% CI 0.91–0.97)

Serial assessment of patient-reported health status using the AFEQT questionnaire provides better prognostic value for mortality and heart failure hospitalization in atrial fibrillation patients than a single baseline measurement.

Cite This Study

Shiraishi et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Atrial fibrillation (n=2,743). Current AFEQT overall summary score vs. Baseline AFEQT overall summary score was evaluated on all-cause death and heart failure (HF) hospitalization (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.91-0.97). Higher current AFEQT overall summary scores were associated with a lower risk of death or heart failure hospitalization (HR 0.94; 95% CI 0.91-0.97 per 5-point increase).

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a23bfd571a5da9775e77ce8 https://doi.org/10.1253/circj.cj-26-0223

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

June 6, 2026Circulation JournalOpen Access

Higher current AFEQT overall summary scores were associated with a lower risk of death or heart failure hospitalization (HR 0.94; 95% CI 0.91-0.97 per 5-point increase).

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Why the study?

Does serial assessment of AFEQT scores predict all-cause death and heart failure hospitalization in stable outpatients with atrial fibrillation?

Population

2,743 stable outpatients with atrial fibrillation, mean age 67.8 years, 31.9% women, from a multicenter…

Design

Cohort

Follow-up

median 4.0 years

Key result

Higher current AFEQT overall summary scores were associated with a lower risk of death or heart failure hospitalization (HR 0.94; 95% CI 0.91-0.97 per 5-point increase).

Authors

YSYasuyuki Shiraishi RNRyo Nakamaru SKShun Kohsaka

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Serial AFEQT assessment may refine prognostication in stable AF outpatients; leaves open whether monitoring improves outcomes or warrants trials.

Key Points

To evaluate the association between repeated AFEQT scores and clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Analyzed data from a multicenter, prospective registry of 2,743 stable outpatients with atrial fibrillation
Examined associations between baseline and 12-month AFEQT scores with all-cause death and heart failure hospitalization using multivariable Cox models
Conducted time-varying analyses to assess the predictive ability of updated AFEQT scores.
Higher current AFEQT overall summary scores (per 5-point increase) show lower risk of death/hospitalization (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.91–0.97)
Change in AFEQT scores also associates with lower risk (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.92–0.99)
Only current AFEQT scores independently predict outcomes when modeled together and during time-varying analyses.

Study Design

Type

Cohort (n=2,743)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Does serial assessment of AFEQT scores predict all-cause death and heart failure hospitalization in stable outpatients with atrial fibrillation?

Population

2,743 stable outpatients with atrial fibrillation in Japan, followed for a median of 4.0 years.

Exposure

Serial assessment of Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life (AFEQT) overall summary scores (specifically 12-month 'current' score and change score)

Outcome

Composite of all-cause death and heart failure (HF) hospitalizationcomposite

Main Result

Hazard Ratio: 0.94 (95% CI 0.91–0.97)

Cite This Study

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a23bfd571a5da9775e77ce8 https://doi.org/10.1253/circj.cj-26-0223

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark