YorkSpace has migrated to a new version of its software. Access our Help Resources to learn how to use the refreshed site. Contact diginit@yorku.ca if you have any questions about the migration.
 

Gender differences and quality of life in atrial fibrillation: The mediating role of depression

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Date

2006

Authors

Ong, Lephuong
Irvine, Jane
Nolan, Robert
Cribbie, Robert
Harris, Louise
Newman, David
Mangat, Iqwal
Dorian, Paul

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Elsevier

Abstract

Objective This study investigated gender differences, depression, and health-related quality of life (QoL) in a cross-sectional sample of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods This cross-sectional study involved a convenience sample of AF patients from two tertiary-care clinics in Toronto, Canada. Ninety-three AF patients completed psychometrically validated measures of generic QoL and depression. Mediation analyses evaluated the relationship between gender and QoL using depression as mediating variable.

Results Relative to male patients, female patients reported lower physical, but not mental, QoL. Gender was associated with both depression and physical QoL, while depression was correlated with poorer physical QoL. Path analyses demonstrated that depression significantly mediated the relationship between gender and physical QoL.

Conclusion Among AF patients, female patients report lower physical QoL relative to male patients, and this relationship may be mediated by self-reported symptoms of depression. Albeit correlational, the findings underscore the need to develop a better understanding of the role of depression in physical QoL, especially when considering the burden of AF in women.

Description

Keywords

Atrial fibrillation, Depression, Gender, Quality of life

Citation

Ong, L., Irvine, J., Nolan, R., Cribbie, R., Harris, L., Newman, D., Mangat, I. & Dorian, P. (2006). Gender differences and quality of life in atrial fibrillation: The mediating role of depression. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 61, 769-774. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2006.08.003