Table 2.
Description of Commonly Used AF Symptom Assessment Instruments
| Measure, Year Created | Description | Symptoms Included | Time Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Heart Rhythm Association symptom classification (EHRA), EHRA, 2007(36) | Provider rating of patients’ symptom severity and symptoms’ impact on daily activities | Does not assess specific symptoms, provider rates severity and impact on daily activities of symptoms attributable to AF | At time of visit, past 7 days, and past 12 months excluding previous 7 days |
| Symptom Checklist-Frequency and Severity Scale (SCL), Bubien et al., 1996(37) | Score based on severity and frequency of symptoms | Tiredness/lack of energy, heart fluttering/skipping, heart racing, lightheadedness/dizziness, hard-to-catch breath, shortness of breath, chest pain, pressure, or fullness when the heart is racing or fluttering, and chest pain, pressure, or fullness, when heart is not racing or fluttering, headache, trouble concentrating, feeling warm/flushed, sweating, weakness, poor appetite, nausea, difficulty sleeping | Present |
| AF Effect on Quality of Life (AFEQT), Spertus et al., 2011(38) | A measure of quality of life based on self-report of extent symptoms have bothered patient and interfered with activities of daily living | Palpitations (described as heart fluttering, skipping, or racing), irregular heart best, pause in heart activity, lightheadedness or dizziness | Over the past 4 weeks |
| University of Toronto AF Severity Scale (AFSS), Dorian et al., 2000(29) | Subjective and objective ratings of AF disease burden, including frequency, duration, and patient-perceived severity of episodes, and healthcare use | Palpitations, shortness of breath at rest, shortness of breath with activity, exercise intolerance, fatigue at rest, lightheadedness/dizziness, and chest pain/pressure | Present |
| Canadian Cardiovascular Society Severity of AF Scale (CCS-SAF), Dorian et al., 2006(39) | Scored by providers in collaboration with patients, score determined by identification of major AF-related symptoms, determination of symptom-rhythm correlation, and assessment of symptom impact of daily activities and quality of life | Palpitations, dyspnea, dizziness/syncope, chest pain, weakness/fatigue | Present |
| Quality of Life in AF patients (QLAF), Braganca et al., 2010(40) | Score determined by symptoms and treatments | Palpitations, breathlessness, chest pain, dizziness | Present, asks patient to specify how frequent palpitations are |