Arrhythmias & electrophysiology

Temporal trends in lifetime risks of atrial fibrillation and its complications between 2000 and 2022: Danish, nationwide, population based cohort study

BMJPublished Nationwide population-based cohort study

Main finding · Lifetime risk of AFResult — go to the resultDifference 6.7 % 95% CI 6.5%–6.8%

Authors' conclusion

Lifetime risk of atrial fibrillation increased over two decades of follow-up. In individuals with atrial fibrillation, about two in five developed heart failure and one in five had a stroke over their remaining lifetime after atrial fibrillation diagnosis, with no or only small improvement over time.

Study context

Population
Individuals without AF at ≥45 years of age, Denmark, 2000–2022; those with incident AF and no prevalent complication followed for HF, stroke or MI362,721 with incident AF
Participants
3.5 million individuals
Exposure
2011-22 vs 2000-10
Outcome
Lifetime risk of AF and lifetime risks of complications after AF
Methodological detailsDanish, prespecified periods
  • Danish
  • Prespecified periods

Main finding

Lifetime risk of AF

Difference

6.7 %

95% CI 6.5%–6.8%

By group

2011-22vs 2000-10
difference 6.7 % (95% CI 6.5%–6.8%)

As reported in the abstract

Observational data: associations, not effects.

Further findings

Outcome2000-102011-22Difference (CI)
Lifetime risk of HF after AFHF was the most frequent complication after AF42.9%42.1%−0.8% (−3.8% to 2.2%)
Lifetime risk of HF after AF — Years lost with no HF in individuals with AF
14.4 years

Lifetime risk of stroke after AF

Decreased slightly between the two periods
from 22.4% to 19.9%
Difference
−2.5% (−4.2% to −0.7%)

Lifetime risk of MI after AF

Decreased slightly between the two periods
from 13.7% to 9.8%
Difference
−3.9% (−5.3% to −2.4%)

Decrease by sex

No evidence of a differential decrease between men and women

Original publication

Temporal trends in lifetime risks of atrial fibrillation and its complications between 2000 and 2022: Danish, nationwide, population based cohort study. BMJ. Published 17 April 2024. doi:10.1136/bmj-2023-077209

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