AF/AFL as the underlying cause of death increased across the US until 2016 (APC 4.8%) and then plateaued, while AF/AFL as a contributing cause of death increased from 2010 to 2020 (APC 3.3%).
Observational
Yes
While AF/AFL as an underlying cause of death has plateaued since 2016 in the US, its role as a contributing cause of death continues to rise, with significant regional and racial disparities.
BACKGROUND: There is an evolving need to evaluate atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF/AFL) mortality trends across races, sexes, geographic regions and urbanization statuses to better understand management inequalities. METHODS: This observational study utilized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) database. Mortality rates due to AF/AFL as underlying and contributing causes of death between 2010 and 2020 were investigated. Mortality trends due to AF/AFL as contributing causes of death for different races, sexes, census regions and urbanization statuses were analyzed using annual percentage change (APC), and Joinpoint regression analysis. RESULTS: Mortality from AF/AFL as the underlying cause was increasing across the US until 2016 (APC 4.8%), followed by a plateau 2016-2020 (APC 0.0 %). Conversely, the mortality rate due to AF/AFL as a contributing cause increases 2010-2020 (APC 3.3%). The mortality rate in both sexes significantly increased in almost all groups, with the largest increase seen in Non-Hispanic Black males. Rural areas had a higher mortality rate (36.9 and 22.9 per 100,000 for males and females in 2020, respectively) and higher slope of increase than urban areas in total US population. Non-Hispanic White people had greater mortality than Non-Hispanic Black people; however, Non-Hispanic Black mortality rates are increasing at a faster rate in urban areas. CONCLUSION: AF/AFL as the underlying cause of death has plateaued from 2016 across the US 2010-2020; whilst AF/AFL as contributing cause of death is increasing. Significant discrepancies in mortality rates are identified between races and urbanization status.
Ghajar et al. (Sat,) conducted a observational in Atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF/AFL). AF/AFL as the underlying cause of death increased across the US until 2016 (APC 4.8%) and then plateaued, while AF/AFL as a contributing cause of death increased from 2010 to 2020 (APC 3.3%).