Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Health conditions in adults with atrial fibrillation compared with the general population: a population-based cross-sectional analysis
Authors' conclusion
While cardiovascular conditions are highly prevalent and strongly associated with AF, a wide spectrum of non-cardiovascular conditions were also strongly associated, requiring a greater understanding of managing comorbid conditions with management principles contradictory to AF.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with and without atrial fibrillation (AF) in Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) primary care records in England, as of 30 November 2015
- Participants
- 34,338 vs 907,739
- Exposure
- Prevalence of 252 physical and mental health conditions and 23 higher level health condition groups in adults with AF compared with adults without AF
- Adults with AFn = 34,338
- Adults without AFn = 907,739reference
- Outcome
- Health condition groups more likely (adjusted for age and sex)
Methodological detailsprimary care electronic medical records linked to hospital admissions
- Primary care electronic medical records linked to hospital admissions
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Adults with AF significantly more likely to have health condition groups
20 of 23
87%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Adults with AF | Adults without AF | aOR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular condition groupPrevalence | 89% | 26% | 5.82 (5.60–6.05) | |
| Gastrointestinal condition groupPrevalence | 62% | 37% | 1.34 (1.31–1.38) | |
| Orthopaedic condition groupPrevalence | 58% | 24% | 1.32 (1.29–1.35) | |
| Cardiomyopathy | 4.5% | 0.3% | 9.58 (8.88–10.35) | |
| Heart failure | 18% | 0.7% | 9.07 (8.70–9.46) | |
| Pleural effusion | 16% | 1.8% | 3.55 (3.42–3.67) | |
| Oesophageal malignancy | 0.3% | 0.0% | 2.14 (1.69–2.70) | |
| 0.050.21520Adjusted odds ratio (log scale) |
Individual conditions significantly more common in adults with AF
- Individual conditions significantly more common
- 151/252
Associations after SES adjustment
- Associations were similar after SES adjustment
Original publication
Health conditions in adults with atrial fibrillation compared with the general population: a population-based cross-sectional analysis. Heart. Published 4 March 2025. doi:10.
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