Author/Editor		Bizovičar, Nataš
Title		Kvaliteta življenja bolnikov z refleksno sinkopo
Type		monografija
Place		Ljubljana
Publisher		Medicinska fakulteta
Publication year		2006
Volume		str. 64
Language		slo
Abstract		Background. Reflex-mediated syncope is a benign event. However, it might be a disabling condition having a significant impact on psychosocial component of health. This impact results in multiple medical consultations and additional diagnostic tests. Health-related quality of life is impaired proportionally to higher frequency of syncope event. Aim. We compared the health-related quality of life in patients with syncope and in a control group of patients with ill-defined transient loss of consciousness using a syncope-oriented questionnaire. Hypothesis. We predicted that health-related quality of life in patients with reflex-mediated syncope is worse than in patients with ill-defined transient loss of consciousness representing a control group. Methods. The study sample consisted of 50 patients with reflex-mediated syncope and an age- and sex-matched control group of 50 patients with ill-defined transient loss of consciousness. A telephone interview using our own syncope-oriented questionnaire has been performed in all of them. The questionnaire focused on the following: frequency and nature of spells, the feeling of discomfort and fear, health condition, and health-related quality of life. Afterwards the well known EQ-5D questionnaire has been performed. We used the t-test and chi-square for statistical analysis. Results. More patients with syncope had more spells at the time of interviewing. However, patients with syncope evaluated their quality of life as better than patients in the control group using our own syncope-oriented questionnaire but not using the EQ-5D questionnaire. The avoidance of trigger situations for spells was more frequent in patients of syncope. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters)
Descriptors		QUALITY OF LIFE SYNCOPE, VASOVAGAL TILT-TABLE TEST QUESTIONNAIRES