# Differences in Women and Men with Atrial Fibrillation

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2024 · $51,974

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The purpose of this Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Pre-Doctoral
Fellowship in Nursing Research (F31) application is to provide research training for Ms. Frazier, a third-year
doctoral student at the University of Washington School of Nursing. The long-term goal of this training is for
this applicant to develop into an independent nurse scientist in a research-intensive academic setting with a
program of research dedicated to interventions that integrate biological and socioecological factors to reduce
and ameliorate symptom burden in individuals living with atrial fibrillation (AF). As the U.S. population ages, the
number of individuals with AF is rapidly increasing, with cases projected to more than double by 2030. Most
individuals with AF experience bothersome and at times debilitating symptoms that significantly impair quality
of life (QOL). Women with AF bear the burden of more frequent and severe AF symptoms and lower QOL.
While prior studies have consistently identified gender differences in AF symptom and QOL outcomes, the
multilevel factors contributing to such differences in women and men are largely understudied. The applicant
proposes a cross-sectional study (N=124) that employs both quantitative (Aims 1 and 2) and qualitative (Aim 3)
methods to elucidate social factors and novel biological markers that contribute to differences in AF symptoms
and QOL in women and men with AF. The specific aims are to: 1) Compare epicardial adipose tissue volume,
adipokines (leptin and adiponectin), AF symptoms, and QOL between women and men with AF; 2) Examine
for associations linked to potential intermediating pathways between epicardial adipose tissue volume,
adipokines (leptin and adiponectin), AF symptoms, and QOL for women and men with AF; and 3) Explore
perceptions of social factors (social support, living situation, and social network interactions) and their influence
on AF symptoms and QOL for women and men with AF. Through advanced coursework and direct research
experience, qualitative and quantitative methods, focused analysis of gender and social contexts in AF, and
discovery of highly relevant links among biological markers of and AF-related outcomes, this award will provide
a firm foundation for the long-term goal to develop behavioral interventions and upstream solutions to improve
symptom experiences and QOL in women and men with AF.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10947072
- **Project number:** 5F31NR020833-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Elizabeth Frazier
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $51,974
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-09-16 → 2026-03-15

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10947072

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10947072, Differences in Women and Men with Atrial Fibrillation (5F31NR020833-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10947072. Licensed CC0.

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