Open AccessCharacteristics and health‐status outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation detected via health screening
Author(s) -
Yamashita Terumasa,
Kimura Takehiro,
Ikemura Nobuhiro,
Niimi Nozomi,
Tsuzuki Ippei,
Seki Yuta,
Ibe Susumu,
Hashimoto Kenji,
Miyama Hiroshi,
Fujisawa Taishi,
Katsumata Yoshinori,
Tanimoto Kojiro,
Nagami Keiichi,
Suzuki Masahiro,
Kohsaka Shun,
Fukuda Keiichi,
Takatsuki Seiji
Publication year - 2023
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.23932
Subject(s) - medicine , atrial fibrillation , asymptomatic , confidence interval , odds ratio , catheter ablation , quality of life (healthcare) , pediatrics , nursing
Background Early detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) is important. Japan has a universal screening system, and regular health screening (HS) is available to support AF detection without a hospital visit. However, health‐related outcomes and other characteristics of HS‐detected and conventionally diagnosed AF remain unknown. Hypothesis That the characteristics and health‐related outcomes of patients with HS‐detected AF may differ from those of patients whose AF was detected by other procedures. Methods In total, 3318 consecutive newly referred AF cases were enrolled; demographic characteristics and health‐related and clinical outcomes were compared between two groups created based on the mode of AF detection (the HS and non‐HS groups). Health‐related outcomes were assessed using the AF Effect on QualiTy‐of‐life (AFEQT) questionnaire at baseline and after 1 year of follow‐up. Results AF was detected by HS in 25.0% of patients; these patients had lower CHADS 2 scores (1.01 vs. 1.50, p < .001), higher prevalence of persistent AF (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval; 2.21, 1.88–2.60) and asymptomatic presentation (3.19, 2.71–3.76), and better baseline QoL scores (83.6 vs. 75.0; p < .001). Catheter ablation was more frequently performed in the HS group at follow‐up (44.4% vs. 34.1%; p < .001). At 1‐year follow‐up, the AFEQT scores of the HS group were significantly better in most subdomains. Conclusions In the Japanese registry, AF was detected via HS in 25% of patients referred to specialty centers for management. Notably, the overall health status of patients with HS‐detected AF improved after medical interventions, including catheter ablations.