Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Sarcopenia in atrial fibrillation: a risk factor for adverse outcomes in a UK Biobank study
Main finding · Primary composite outcomeResult — go to the resultAdjusted hazard ratio 1.30 95% CI 1.15–1.46Authors' conclusion
Even after PS weighting analysis, some residual confounders may remain; however, sarcopenia was independently associated with adverse clinical outcomes, particularly mortality and bleeding risk.
Study context
- Population
- Individuals with atrial fibrillation (AF) in UK Biobank, enrolled 2006–201016.7% with sarcopenia
- Participants
- 5,144 individuals
- Exposure
- Sarcopenia vs no sarcopenia
- Outcome
- Composite of:
- All-cause mortality
- Major bleeding
- Thromboembolic events (stroke/systemic embolism)
- HF admission
Methodological detailspropensity score weighting, 22 centres
- Propensity score weighting
- 22 centres
Main finding
Primary composite outcome
Adjusted hazard ratio
1.30
95% CI 1.15–1.46
By group
Sarcopenia
43.9
per 1000 person-years (PYRs)
Sarcopeniavs No sarcopenia
adjusted HR 1.30 (95% CI 1.15–1.46)
As reported in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Sarcopenia | aHR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-cause mortality | 26.4 per 1000 PYRs | 1.44 (1.24–1.68) | |
| 0.512Adjusted hazard ratio (log scale) |
Subgroup analyses
- Subgroup analyses demonstrated consistent results
Safety
| Outcome | Sarcopenia | aHR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major bleeding | 14.4 per 1000 PYRs | 1.34 (1.10–1.65) | |
| 0.512Adjusted hazard ratio (log scale) |
Original publication
Sarcopenia in atrial fibrillation: a risk factor for adverse outcomes in a UK Biobank study. Europace. Published 8 November 2025. doi:10.
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