Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Early rhythm control and mental health-related hospitalizations in young and middle-aged patients with atrial fibrillation
Main finding · Hospitalization with depression or anxiety as the principal diagnosisResult — go to the resultHazard ratio 0.795 95% CI 0.689–0.916Authors' conclusion
ERC in young and middle-aged patients with AF aged <65 years with preexisting mental health conditions was associated with a lower risk of mental health-related hospitalizations, highlighting the importance of timely rhythm control in this population.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) <65 years with a history of depression or anxiety, Korean National Health Insurance Service (2010–2020)patients with AF <65 years with a history of depression or anxiety
- Participants
- 166,797 patients
- Exposure
- Early rhythm control (ERC) group vs usual care group
- Outcome
- Hospitalization with depression or anxiety as the principal diagnosis
- Follow-up
- Median 5.3 years (interquartile range 2.9-9.3)
Methodological details1:1 propensity score matching, Cox regression
- 1:1 propensity score matching
- Cox regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Hazard ratio
0.795
95% CI 0.689–0.916
P = 0.001
ERCvs usual care
HR 0.795 (95% CI 0.689–0.916); P = 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Secondary outcomes
| Outcome | HR (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitalizations with depression or anxiety | 0.852 (0.815–0.890) | P < 0.001 | |
| Psychiatric hospitalizations | 0.621 (0.566–0.681) | P < 0.001 | |
| 0.512Hazard ratio (log scale) |
Subgroups
- Benefits were consistent across subgroups, with a stronger effect in younger patients
Original publication
Early rhythm control and mental health-related hospitalizations in young and middle-aged patients with atrial fibrillation. Heart Rhythm. Published 12 September 2025. doi:10.
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