Health-related quality of life, psychological well-being and physical activity in patients with mild-to-moderate ascending aortic dilation - a cross-sectional case-control study

Abstract Aim To investigate health-related quality of life (HRQoL), psychological well-being and physical activity in patients with mild-to-moderate ascending aortic dilation. Background While ascending aortic dilation often require lifelong surveillance due to the increased risk of severe complications like aortic dissection or rupture, the impact of living with this known risk on patients’ psychological well-being and overall quality of life remains less studied. Methods Subjects with ascending aortic dilation ≥ 40 mm and age- and sex-matched controls were identified in the general population-based Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS) in Linköping ( n = 5053). Of these, 67 cases and 50 controls completed the questionnaires. HRQoL, psychological well-being, physical activity and capacity were assessed using validated forms. Group comparisons were made with independent t-tests or Mann-Whitney U. For correlation analyses, Spearman’s rank correlation was used. Results No statistically significant differences in quality of life were observed between cases and controls. Anxiety and depression scores were likewise comparable across groups ( p = 0.228 and 0.307, respectively). Perceived stress ( p = 0.096), physical capacity ( p = 0.173), and physical activity ( p = 0.471) also did not differ significantly between cases and controls. With respect to sedentary behaviour, cases demonstrated a higher mean rank than controls (62 vs. 52), although the p-value marginally exceeded the conventional threshold for significance ( p = 0.062). Finally, no significant correlations were identified between aortic diameter and perceived stress, anxiety, or depression. Conclusions In this population-based cohort, no statistically significant differences in HRQoL, psychological well-being, and physical activity were observed between subjects with mild to moderate ascending aortic dilation and matched controls. However, given the small sample size, small differences between groups cannot be excluded. Balanced management strategies that promote safe physical activity, psychological well-being and HRQoL remain important in this population.