Key result
Stroke or TIA affects ~13% of AF patients, linked to smoking, obesity, CKD, and thyroid disease.
Why the study?
Atrial fibrillation considerably elevates stroke risk, making the identification of stroke risk factors and their associations essential for prevention strategies.
What is the prevalence of stroke and its associated risk factors in patients with atrial fibrillation?
Cross-Sectional (n=345)
No
What is the prevalence of stroke and its associated risk factors in patients with atrial fibrillation?
In a Pakistani cohort of patients with atrial fibrillation, the prevalence of stroke or TIA was 13%, highlighting the importance of managing modifiable risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.
Does not support practice changes in AF stroke prevention; leaves open causality and generalizability beyond this cohort.
Introduction Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common type of heart rhythm disorder that considerably elevates the risk of stroke. Identifying risk factors and their association with stroke in AF patients is essential for effective prevention strategies. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Cardiology Department of Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan, from October 2024 to March 2025. A total of 345 patients with diagnosed AF were enrolled using a non-probability purposive sampling technique. The CHA₂DS₂-VASc (Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age ≥75 years, Diabetes Mellitus, Prior Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) or thromboembolism, Vasculardisease, Age 65-74 years, Sex category) score was used to assess stroke risk, and associations with various risk factors were analyzed using the Chi-square test. Results Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) was reported in 13% of patients. Significant associations were found between stroke risk and smoking, obesity, chronic kidney disease, thyroid disease, and physical inactivity. No significant correlation was found with alcohol consumption, likely due to cultural and religious practices. Conclusion This study highlights a notable stroke prevalence among AF patients and underscores the importance of managing modifiable risk factors to reduce stroke risk.
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Gul et al. (2025) conducted a cross-sectional in Atrial fibrillation (n=345). Risk factors (smoking, obesity, chronic kidney disease, thyroid disease, physical inactivity) vs. Absence of respective risk factors was evaluated on Prevalence of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Among patients with atrial fibrillation, the prevalence of prior stroke or transient ischemic attack was 13%, with significant associations found for smoking, obesity, CKD, and thyroid disease.
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