Lifetime Risks of Valvular Heart Disease and Pacemaker Use in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis

Background The likelihoods of valvular heart disease ( VHD ) and conduction abnormalities in patients with ankylosing spondylitis ( AS p) are poorly defined. Knowing their lifetime risks of VHD and pacemaker use would help inform whether cardiac screening should be done. Methods and Results Patients with AS p and a comparison group without AS p were identified among US Medicare beneficiaries in 1999 to 2013. Frequencies of VHD and pacemaker use were compared in 4 age groups: 65 to 69 years, 70 to 74 years, 75 to 79 years, and 80 years or older, as were rates of valve surgeries, a measure of VHD severity, and new pacemaker insertions. Outcomes were compared between 42 327 patients with AS p and 19 211 703 patients without AS p. The prevalence of aortic valve disease in patients with AS p increased with age (2.6%, 6.7%, 10.9%, and 17.1%), as did the prevalence of mitral valve disease. Risks of VHD were slightly but significantly higher in patients with AS p (adjusted odds ratios 1.06–1.51). Rates of aortic valve replacement/repair were also higher in patients with AS p than in the comparison group (125 versus 93; 183 versus 149; 261 versus 208; 279 versus 191 per 100 000 patient‐years in the 4 age groups). Rates of mitral valve surgery did not differ between groups. Among patients with AS p, pacemaker use ranged from 1.0% to 7.6% across age groups, and was slightly higher than in controls (odds ratio range 1.11–1.32). Conclusions Lifetime risks of VHD and pacemaker use in AS p increase markedly with age, but are only slightly higher than in elderly people without AS p.