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Background: Increased physical capacity after comprehensive rehabilitation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing ablation has been found in the CopenHeartRFA trial. The purpose of this study was to investigate: (a) sex differences in health status, psychological distress and quality of life, (b) sex differences in rehabilitation outcomes and (c) predictors of effect of rehabilitation. Methods: We conducted an exploratory analysis of data from the randomized CopenHeartRFA trial, where patients treated with ablation were randomized with 1:1 to comprehensive rehabilitation consisting of a physical exercise program and psycho-educational consultations versus usual care. Sex disparities in health status were tested using Chi-square and t-tests. Results: Included were: 151 men (median age 59.25 years) and 59 women (median age 62.5 years). At hospital discharge, women reported lower physical health status compared with men. Among women, significant differences were found in the 6-min walk test [rehabilitation: 496.8 meters (SD 98.5) versus 559.3meters (SD 55.5) and usual care: 521.9 meters (SD 97.8) versus 530.9 meters (SD 102.2), p = 0.01] and exercise time [rehabilitation: 387.6 s (SD 126.0) versus 463.2 s (SD 121.8) and usual care: 353.4 s (SD 145.2) versus 355.8 s (SD 154.8), p < 0.004] and among men in the sit-to-stand test. Significant differences were found in mental health outcomes among men and in quality of life scores among women. Patients with a European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) score I-II had a positive effect of rehabilitation. Conclusion: The results suggest that sex differences exist in self-reported health after rehabilitation in patients ablated for AF. Patients with an I–II EHRA score seem more likely to gain from the rehabilitation programme compared with those with a III–IV score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Approximately 30–40% of heart patients develop anxiety and/or depression, which might influence recovery and long-term survival. Research has suggested that support from relatives may decrease anxiety and depression among heart patients; however, the results are inconsistent and often based on small study populations. Aim: The paper aimed to investigate the association between having supportive relatives and the occurrence of anxiety and depression in heart patients. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study among Danish patients diagnosed with ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, or heart valve disease. Presence of supportive relatives was measured as the degree to which the patients felt that they had relatives they could count on, while symptoms of anxiety and depression were measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Multiple logistic regression analyses accounting for confounders were used to examine the association between supportive relatives and anxiety/depression. Results: The questionnaire was answered by 2496 heart patients, corresponding to 50% of the invited population. Patients with low or some degree of supportive relatives had a higher odds ratio (OR) of anxiety than patients with a high degree (OR = 2.20, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.28–2.37; OR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.57–3.08, respectively). Likewise, patients with low or some degree of supportive relatives had a higher OR of depression than patients with a high degree (OR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.40–2.66; OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.37–2.60, respectively). Conclusions: The presence of supportive relatives was found to be associated with lower occurrence of anxiety and depression. Health professionals should focus on including relatives in the treatment and rehabilitation of heart patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]