Description

What would taking part involve?

First, we would like to talk with a group of patients (between 6 to 20) about the impact of cardiac sarcoidosis in their quality of life during an interview. We will review and analysed these interviews. Then, we will compare with what is already know about cardiac sarcoidosis and its impact on quality of life. Also, we will ask healthcare professionals working with cardiac sarcoidosis patients to review our results. Finally, we will use this information to create the first draft of the new questionnaire (CARD-SARC questionnaire)to measure quality of life in cardiac sarcoidosis patients.

Second, we will ask 20 patients with cardiac sarcoidosis to complete the draft version of the CARD-SARC questionnaire. Also, they will complete validated quality of life questionnaires (for general population or sarcoidosis patients) and questionnaires that explore potential symptoms of fatigue, anxiety and depression. We will compare an review these results to confirm that the CARD-SARC questionnaire is ready for evaluation.

Third, we will ask 100 cardiac sarcoidosis patients to complete the CARD-SARC questionnaire and the validated questionnaires (for quality of life and potential sarcoidosis symptoms) to evaluate how good the CARD-SARC is at measuring quality of life changes in cardiac sarcoidosis patients.

How will patients or the public help guide the research?

This work has been influenced and designed with people living with cardiac sarcoidosis. SarcoidosisUK, the UK sarcoidosis charity, has been supportive and engaged on this work. Likewise, five expert patients with cardiac sarcoidosis have also agreed to lead, contribute and advice on relevant aspects of the study, and to participate sharing the results to the public, patients and professional groups.