Association of psychosocial factors with all-cause hospitalizations in patients with atrial fibrillation

Publication

Association of psychosocial factors with all-cause hospitalizations in patients with atrial fibrillation

Journal Paper/Review - Nov 10, 2020

Meyre Pascal B, Osswald Stefan, Conen David, Kühne Michael, Schwenkglenks Matthias, Sticherling Christian, Bonati Leo H, Meyer-Zürn Christine, Mathys Rebecca, Blum Manuel, Ammann Peter, Di Valentino Marcello, Beer Juerg H, Rodondi Nicolas, Blum Steffen, Aeschbacher Stefanie, Springer Anne, Swiss-AF investigators

Citation

Meyre P, Osswald S, Conen D, Kühne M, Schwenkglenks M, Sticherling C, Bonati L, Meyer-Zürn C, Mathys R, Blum M, Ammann P, Di Valentino M, Beer J, Rodondi N, Blum S, Aeschbacher S, Springer A, Swiss-AF investigators. Association of psychosocial factors with all-cause hospitalizations in patients with atrial fibrillation. Clin Cardiol 2020; 44:51-57.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Clin Cardiol 2020; 44

Publication Date

Nov 10, 2020

Issn Electronic

1932-8737

Pages

51-57

Brief description/objective

BACKGROUND
A high burden of cardiovascular comorbidities puts patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) at high risk for hospitalizations, but the role of other factors is less clear.

HYPOTHESIS
To determine the relationship between psychosocial factors and the risk of unplanned hospitalizations in AF patients.

METHODS
Prospective observational cohort study of 2378 patients aged 65 or older with previously diagnosed AF across 14 centers in Switzerland. Marital status and education level were defined as social factors, depression and health perception were psychological components. The pre-defined outcome was unplanned all-cause hospitalization.

RESULTS
During a median follow-up of 2.0 years, a total of 1713 hospitalizations occurred in 37% of patients. Compared to patients who were married, adjusted rate ratios (aRR) for all-cause hospitalizations were 1.28 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97-1.69) for singles, 1.31 (95%CI, 1.06-1.62) for divorced patients, and 1.02 (95%CI, 0.82-1.25) for widowed patients. The aRRs for all-cause hospitalizations across increasing quartiles of health perception were 1.0 (highest health perception), 1.15 (95%CI, 0.84-1.59), 1.25 (95%CI, 1.03-1.53), and 1.66 (95%CI, 1.34-2.07). No different hospitalization rates were observed in patients with a secondary or primary or less education as compared to patients with a college degree (aRR, 1.06; 95%CI, 0.91-1.23 and 1.05; 95%CI, 0.83-1.33, respectively). Presence of depression was not associated with higher hospitalization rates (aRR, 0.94; 95%CI, 0.68-1.29).

CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that psychosocial factors, including marital status and health perception, are strongly associated with the occurrence of hospitalizations in AF patients. Targeted psychosocial support interventions may help to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02105844.