Sex-Specific Outcomes and Health-Related Quality of Life After Aortic Dissection

Project Overview

Aortic dissection (AD) affects approximately 7 in every 100,000 people, with over 500 operations performed annually in the UK. This number is steadily increasing. Encouragingly, survival rates post-AD surgery are high, with patients experiencing survival rates similar to the general population up to eight years post-operation, exceeding 80%. As survival rates improve, it becomes crucial to shift focus towards patient-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and outcomes significant to patients. Unfortunately, there is a stark lack of evidence on HRQoL and psychosocial outcomes (such as impacts on work, social, and family life) post-AD, particularly within the UK and Ireland.

Patient-reported quality of life needs attention post-AD surgery.

Identified Research Priorities

• HRQoL and Psychosocial Care: Recognised as a priority due to the scant and low-quality research currently available.
• Sex-Specific Outcomes: Evidence suggests women may experience poorer recovery and HRQoL outcomes than men post-AD, necessitating more focused research.
• Gender Representation in Research: Despite AD affecting both sexes equally, women constitute only about one third of research participants, with less than 30% participation in HRQoL studies.

Active Patient and Public Engagement (PPI)

Recognising the importance of PPI in improving research quality and relevance, this project will use strong PPI strategies to develop HRQoL and psychosocial research proposals. Planned activities include: a webinar with the TADCT patient panel to discuss research gaps and set priorities; forming a diverse PPI Project Patient Panel (PPP) to refine research ideas; undertake additional PPI activities suggested by the PPP; holding a follow-up webinar for feedback; and finalising grant submissions.