Quality of Life Measures in Aortic Stenosis Research: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Background: Elderly patients with aortic stenosis (AS) not only have a reduced life expectancy but also a reduced quality of life (QoL). The benefits of an AS intervention may be considered a balance between a good QoL and a reasonably extended life. However, the different questionnaires being used to determine the QoL, were generally not developed for the specific situation of patients with AS and come with strengths and considerable weaknesses. The objective of this manuscript was to provide an overview of the available QoL instruments in AS research, describe their strengths and weaknesses, and to provide our assessment of the utility of the available scoring instruments for QoL measurements in AS. Summary: We identified and reviewed the following instruments that are used in AS research: Short Form Health Survey (SF-36/SF-12), EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D), the Illness Intrusiveness Rating Scale (IIRS), the HeartQoL, the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHF), the MacNew Questionnaire, and the Toronto Aortic Stenosis Quality of Life Questionnaire (TASQ). Key messages: There is no standardized assessment of QoL in patients with AS. Many different questionaires are being used, but they are rarely specific for AS. There is a need for AS specific research into the QoL of patients as life prolongation may compete for an improved QoL in this elderly patient group.

Measuring What Matters Most in Aortic Stenosis: Is It Time for Disease-Specific Measurement?

“…In their narrative review "Quality of Life Measures in Aortic Stenosis Research," Frank et al [4] provide an overview of PROMs used in research to measure QoL in patients with AS. The authors identified 79 studies in which eight PROMs were used: the generic Short Form Health Survey (SF-36/SF-12), EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D), and Illness Intrusiveness Rating Scale (IIRS), and the cardiacspecific HeartQoL, Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Ques-tionnaire (KCCQ), Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHF), MacNew Questionnaire, and Toronto Aortic Stenosis Quality of Life Questionnaire (TASQ).…”

“…As Frank et al [4] elegantly highlight in their review, there are exciting opportunities to advance this field of research and promote the integration of patients' perspectives in the treatment of AS and other valvular heart disease. Patients and their families, advocacy organizations, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers have a shared investment in supporting this agenda.…”