A new multinational study published in BMJ Open by researchers involved in the AFFIRMO Project has shed light on the critical impact of patient engagement on health outcomes in individuals living with atrial fibrillation (AF) and multiple chronic conditions. The research—titled "Exploring patient engagement in atrial fibrillation with multimorbidity: impact on quality of life, medication adherence and healthcare perceptions—a multicountry cross-sectional study"—offers a pioneering perspective into how active involvement of patients in managing their disease correlates with improved quality of life, better adherence to medications, and more positive perceptions of care.

Study Overview

The cross-sectional survey, conducted between May 2022 and January 2023, spanned five European countries: Denmark, Italy, Romania, Spain, and the United Kingdom. A total of 659 adult patients with diagnosed AF and at least one other chronic condition participated in the study.

Using validated tools—the Patient Health Engagement Scale (PHE-s) and the Altarum Consumer Engagement Measure (ACE)—researchers assessed both emotional and cognitive-behavioural dimensions of patient engagement.

Dr. Dilara Usta, co-lead author, explains:

“This study confirms that engaging patients in their care journey is not only empowering but clinically effective. It highlights the need for care models that adapt to the individual’s age, education, and health status.”

Key Findings

• 65% of patients demonstrated high emotional engagement, while 56% showed high cognitive-behavioural engagement.

• Younger patients (<75 years for emotional PE; <65 years for cognitive-behavioural PE), males, and those with fewer than three comorbidities were more likely to be highly engaged.

• Participants with higher emotional engagement reported better quality of life, stronger adherence to medications, and more positive perceptions of healthcare.

• High cognitive-behavioural engagement was linked to improved quality of life and perception of care, though not necessarily with better medication adherence.

These findings emphasize the importance of tailoring healthcare strategies based on engagement personas—defined by age, gender, educational background, and comorbidity count—to foster more personalized and effective AF management.

A Step Toward Person-Centered Care

This study marks a significant advance in the AFFIRMO Project's mission to promote integrated, multidisciplinary care for older, frail patients with AF and multimorbidity. By revealing how different profiles of patient engagement affect treatment experiences and outcomes, the research paves the way for more nuanced, effective, and compassionate care strategies.

Authors: The study was led by Caterina Bosio, Dilara Usta, Donato Leo, Caterina Trevisan, Deirdre Lane, and Guendalina Graffigna, along with the AFFIRMO Project Consortium.

Download the full article:
BMJ Open Article – DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-094351