Key result
Rheumatoid arthritis was associated with a higher 20-year cumulative incidence of atrial fibrillation compared to non-RA subjects (18.3% vs 16.3%; adjusted HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.07-2.00).
Why the study?
Does rheumatoid arthritis increase the incidence of atrial fibrillation compared to the general population?
Cohort (n=1,626)
No
Does rheumatoid arthritis increase the incidence of atrial fibrillation compared to the general population?
Hazard Ratio: 1.46 (95% CI 1.07–2)
Absolute Event Rate: 18.3% vs 16.3%
p-value: p=0.048
Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
May support closer AF monitoring in RA; leaves open whether screening improves outcomes.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared to the general population. METHODS: A population-based inception cohort of Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents with incident RA in 1980-2007 and a cohort of non-RA subjects from the same population base were assembled and followed until 12/31/2008. The occurrence of AF was ascertained by medical record review. RESULTS: The study included 813 patients with RA and 813 non-RA subjects (mean age 55.9 (SD:15.7) years, 68% women in both cohorts). The prevalence of AF was similar in the RA and non-RA cohorts at RA incidence/index date (4% versus 3%; P = 0.51). The cumulative incidence of AF during follow-up was higher among patients with RA compared to non-RA subjects (18.3% versus 16.3% at 20 years; P = 0.048). This difference persisted after adjustment for age, sex, calendar year, smoking, and hypertension (hazard ratio: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.07, 2.00). There was no evidence of a differential impact of AF on mortality in patients with RA compared to non-RA subjects (hazard ratio 2.5 versus 2.8; interaction P = 0.31). CONCLUSION: The incidence of AF is increased in patients with RA, even after adjustment for AF risk factors. AF related mortality risk did not differ between patients with and without RA.
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Bacani et al. (2015) conducted a cohort in Rheumatoid arthritis (n=1,626). Rheumatoid arthritis vs. Non-RA subjects was evaluated on Cumulative incidence of atrial fibrillation (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.07, 2.00, p=0.048). Rheumatoid arthritis was associated with a higher 20-year cumulative incidence of atrial fibrillation compared to non-RA subjects (18.3% vs 16.3%; adjusted HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.07-2.00).
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