Among younger patients hospitalized with atrial fibrillation, low education (≤10 years) was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality compared to higher education (HR 2.3; 95% CI 2.0-2.6).
Cohort (n=42,138)
Yes
Does lower educational level increase mortality in patients hospitalized with atrial fibrillation?
Lower educational level is strongly associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients hospitalized with atrial fibrillation, particularly among younger patients.
Hazard Ratio: 2.3 (95% CI 2–2.6)
OBJECTIVES: We explored the educational gradient in mortality in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. DESIGN: We prospectively followed patients hospitalized with AF as primary discharge diagnosis in the Cardiovascular Disease in Norway 2008-2012 project. The average length of follow-up was 2.4 years. Mortality by educational level was assessed by Cox proportional hazard models. Population attributable fractions (PAF) were calculated. Analyses stratified by age (≤75 and >75 years of age), and adjusted for age, gender, medical intervention, and Charlson Comorbidity Index. RESULTS: Of 42,138 AF patients, 16% died by end of 2012. Among younger patients, those with low education (≤10 years) had a HR of 2.3 (95% confidence interval 2.0, 2.6) for all-cause mortality relative to those with any college or university education. Similar results were observed for cardiovascular mortality. Disparities in mortality were greater among younger than older patients. A PAF of 35.9% (95% confidence interval 27.9, 43.1) was observed for an educational level of high school/vocational school or less versus higher education in younger patients. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing educational level associated with better prognosis suggesting underlying education-related behavioral and medical determinants of mortality. A considerable proportion of mortality within 5 years following hospital discharge could be prevented.
Akerkar et al. (Mon,) conducted a cohort in Atrial fibrillation (n=42,138). Low education (≤10 years) vs. Any college or university education was evaluated on All-cause mortality (HR 2.3, 95% CI 2.0-2.6). Among younger patients hospitalized with atrial fibrillation, low education (≤10 years) was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality compared to higher education (HR 2.3; 95% CI 2.0-2.6).
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