Identification of patients with atrial fibrillation in general practice: a study of screening methods
Why the study?
Do screening methods (digoxin use identification and pulse palpation) effectively detect atrial fibrillation or flutter in elderly patients compared to screening ECG?
Population
1235 subjects aged 65 years and over, registered with nine contiguous general practices in southern…
Comparison
Screening methods: identification of patients… vs Screening limb lead electrocardiogram
Design
Cross-sectional
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
These methods should not yet change AF screening practice in elderly primary care; leaves open prospective diagnostic accuracy validation versus ECG.
Structured PICO
Do screening methods (digoxin use identification and pulse palpation) effectively detect atrial fibrillation or flutter in elderly patients compared to screening ECG?
P
Population
1235 subjects aged 65 years and over, registered with nine contiguous general practices in southern Northumberland
I
Intervention
Screening methods: identification of patients currently taking digoxin, and pulse palpation by a trained nurse
C
Comparator
Screening limb lead electrocardiogram
O
Outcome
Detection of people with atrial fibrillation or flutter
This study evaluates the utility of digoxin use and pulse palpation by a nurse as screening methods for detecting atrial fibrillation in elderly patients in general practice.
Cite This Study
Sudlow et al. (1998) studied this question.