Published online May 16, 2021. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i14.3252
Peer-review started: January 7, 2021
First decision: January 18, 2021
Revised: February 6, 2021
Accepted: March 19, 2021
Article in press: March 19, 2021
Published online: May 16, 2021
Processing time: 111 Days and 17.3 Hours
Atrial fibrillation (AF) can be induced by systemic inflammation in certain diseases such as rheumatic diseases (RD). A relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and AF was evaluated in the Danish cohort study, while other studies have shown a lack of relationship between RA and AF.
Arrhythmia should be excluded in RD patients with cardiac risk factors. If the patient develops any concerning cardiac symptoms, RD patients should be monitored for arrhythmia using cardiac monitors.
The purpose of this study was to determine the association of AF among hospitalized RD patients and to determine morbidity and mortality associated with AF in hospitalized patients with RD.
National Inpatient Sample database from October 2015 to December 2017 was used for the current study. International classification of disease, 10th revision, clinical modification codes were used to identify diagnosis RD and AF patients. The analysis was conducted using statistical analysis system statistical software version 9.4. Both univariate and multivariable regression analysis was used to identify the association between AF and RD.
Higher AF prevalence was found in RD patients. After adjusting the risk factors using multivariate regression analysis, the strongest association of AF was found with gout, vasculitis and polymyalgia. Conversely, enteropathic arthropathy, scleroderma, ankylosing spondylitis, and Sjorgen’s syndrome had decreased association with AF.
The study showed a higher association of AF with gout and vasculitis. Overall mortality, length of stay and hospitalization cost was higher among RD patients with AF.
Further randomized controlled trial should be directed to evaluate long-term outcomes of arrhythmias in RD patients.