Prevalence and predictors of atrial fibrillation type among individuals with recent onset of atrial fibrillation

Publication

Prevalence and predictors of atrial fibrillation type among individuals with recent onset of atrial fibrillation

Journal Paper/Review - Sep 23, 2018

Ruperti Repilado Francisco J, Osswald Stefan, Sticherling Christian, Kühne Michael, Stempfel Samuel, Schläpfer Jürg, Shah Dipen, Di Valentino Marcello, Moschovitis Giorgio, Erne Paul, Ammann Peter, Krisai Philipp, Aeschbacher Stefanie, Blum Steffen, Doerig Laura, Conen David

Citation

Ruperti Repilado F, Osswald S, Sticherling C, Kühne M, Stempfel S, Schläpfer J, Shah D, Di Valentino M, Moschovitis G, Erne P, Ammann P, Krisai P, Aeschbacher S, Blum S, Doerig L, Conen D. Prevalence and predictors of atrial fibrillation type among individuals with recent onset of atrial fibrillation. Swiss Med Wkly 2018; 148:w14652.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Swiss Med Wkly 2018; 148

Publication Date

Sep 23, 2018

Issn Electronic

1424-3997

Pages

w14652

Brief description/objective

OBJECTIVE
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is considered to be a progressive disease, starting with intermittent episodes that progress over time to more sustained events. However, little is known about the prevalence of and predictors for AF type among patients with recent-onset AF. We aimed to address these issues among a selected population of patients with AF.

METHODS
The Basel atrial fibrillation cohort (BEAT-AF) study is an ongoing prospective multicentre cohort study among patients with AF. At baseline, we obtained information on the date of AF diagnosis, AF type, comorbidities, medication and lifestyle factors. For this analysis, 486 (31.4%) out of 1550 participants with recent-onset AF (defined as AF duration <24 months) were included. Predictors for AF type (non-paroxysmal vs paroxysmal) were obtained using multivariable adjusted logistic regression models.

RESULTS
Mean age was 67 (59-75) years and 136 (28%) were women. Recent-onset paroxysmal AF was observed in 301 (62%) participants, 185 (38%) had non-paroxysmal AF - persistent AF in 148 (30.4%) and permanent AF in 37 (7.6%). In multivariable models, odds ratios for having non-paroxysmal AF around AF diagnosis were 1.03 per year increasing in age (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.05, p = 0.01); 2.70 (1.5-4.68, p = 0.0004) for history of heart failure; 3.82 (1.05-13.87, p = 0.04) for a history of hyperthyroidism and 1.04 (1.02-1.05, p <0.0001) per beat increase in heart rate.

CONCLUSION
We found a substantial proportion of AF patients with the non-paroxysmal form shortly after diagnosis. Predictors for non-paroxysmal AF were increasing age, history of heart failure or hyperthyroidism, and a higher heart rate.