Quality of Life and Psychological Wellbeing in Patients with Vasovagal Syncope

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dc.contributor.advisorRaj, Satish R.
dc.contributor.authorNg, Jessica
dc.contributor.committeememberExner, Derek V.
dc.contributor.committeememberSheldon, Robert Stanley
dc.contributor.committeememberSears, Samuel F.
dc.date2019-06
dc.date.accessioned2019-02-25T23:12:15Z
dc.date.available2019-02-25T23:12:15Z
dc.date.issued2019-02-22
dc.description.abstractBackground: Vasovagal syncope (VVS) is the most common form of syncope. Previous findings have indicated that VVS patients experience a poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and considerable psychological distress. However, there is limited data comparing both outcomes between VVS patients and closely-matched healthy individuals, as well as identifying specific factors that affect changes in QoL over time. Aims: We aimed to identify the differences in HRQoL and psychological profile between VVS patients and a contemporary group of non-fainting healthy individuals. We also aimed to examine the change in HRQoL over time in VVS patients, as well as explore whether change differed with treatment or fainting during study follow up. Methods: The RAND 36-Item Health Survey (RAND36) or Short Form Health Survey (SF36), global health visual analogue scale (VAS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Anxiety Sensitivity Index, and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule – Expanded Form were completed by healthy individuals, and by VVS patients at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Results: At baseline, VVS patients reported poorer HRQoL on all scales of the RAND36 and the VAS compared to healthy participants. VVS patients had significantly greater anxiety, depression, and anxiety sensitivity, as well as more negative affect and less positive affect. Over a 1-year period, patients reported improvement in all SF36 dimensions except for bodily pain. Post hoc analyses indicated that differences first occurred between baseline and 6 months for all but general health. Additionally, recent faints experienced during follow up or study drug randomization did not alter the improvements. Conclusions: The results from this thesis further support a negative relationship between VVS and a patient’s quality of life and psychological profile. Patients may benefit from a more comprehensive assessment and treatment of HRQoL, anxiety, and depression during presentation and subsequent follow up visits. Moreover, while HRQoL improves in VVS patients over time, future initiatives could identify alternative factors that may contribute to these changes.en_US
dc.identifier.citationNg, J. (2019). Quality of Life and Psychological Wellbeing in Patients with Vasovagal Syncope (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/36151
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/109918
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisher.facultyCumming School of Medicineen_US
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.en_US
dc.subjectvasovagal syncopeen_US
dc.subjectquality of lifeen_US
dc.subjectpsychological distressen_US
dc.subjectpatient reported outcomesen_US
dc.subject.classificationEducation--Healthen_US
dc.subject.classificationMedicine and Surgeryen_US
dc.subject.classificationMental Healthen_US
dc.subject.classificationPsychology--Clinicalen_US
dc.titleQuality of Life and Psychological Wellbeing in Patients with Vasovagal Syncopeen_US
dc.typemaster thesisen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineMedicine – Cardiovascular/Respiratory Scienceen_US
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgaryen_US
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (MSc)en_US
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrue
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