Abstract

OBJECTIVE: to explore 1) the perception of stable angina (SA) - impact on quality of life (QoL) and current condition related to SA; 2) SA burden - symptoms and frequency of anginal episodes; 3) impairment attributable to SA - limitations in daily activities and impact on work; 4) characteristics that might affect the patients' perception." METHOD: a proprietary questionnaire was administered on-line to SA patients selected using a purpose-built screening program from general population panels collaborating with IQVIA in Italy, Germany, Spain, and the UK. Exploratory analyses were performed: descriptive statistics on the total sample and different stratifications (gender, age class, time since diagnosis) were provided; we used Chi-square tests to compare subgroups. RESULTS: of more than 25,000 subjects who accessed the survey, 268 were eligible and completed the questionnaire: mean age was 61 years and women accounted for 30%. Despite being treated, about 40% of patients reported that SA impacted "completely" or "very much" their QoL, 10% rated their condition as "not good", and 45.1% stated that they felt "Fair". The majority of patients were still symptomatic and many of them perceived that SA had a major impact on their working life. Women, younger patients and those with a more recent diagnosis reported a worse self-assessment of their condition, QoL and symptom burden. CONCLUSIONS: the results of our survey provide new insights on how patients with SA perceived their own health status and suggest that any patient with SA deserves a more detailed and accurate evaluation by their physicians.