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Comparative Study
. 2015 Jan 21;4(1):e001486.
doi: 10.1161/JAHA.114.001486.

Prospective national study of the prevalence, incidence, management and outcome of a large contemporary cohort of patients with incident non-valvular atrial fibrillation

Moti Haim  1 , Moshe Hoshen  2 , Orna Reges  2 , Yardena Rabi  2 , Ran Balicer  2 , Morton Leibowitz  2
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Prospective national study of the prevalence, incidence, management and outcome of a large contemporary cohort of patients with incident non-valvular atrial fibrillation

Moti Haim et al. J Am Heart Assoc. .

Abstract

Background: There are few studies of atrial fibrillation (AF) outside of North America or Europe. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence, incidence, management and outcomes of patients with new atrial fibrillation, in a large contemporary cohort (2004-2012) of adult patients.

Methods and results: The Clalit Health Services (CHS) computerized database of 2 420 000 adults, includes data of community clinic visits, hospital discharge records, medical diagnoses, medications, medical interventions, and laboratory test results. The prevalence of AF on January 1, 2004 was 71 644 (3%). Prevalence and incidence of AF increased with age and was higher in men versus women. During the study period (2004-2012) 98 811 patients developed new non-valvular AF (mean age -72, 50% women, 46% with cardiovascular disease, 6% with prior stroke). The rate of persistent warfarin use (dispensed for >3 months in a calendar year) was low (25.7%) and it increased with increasing stroke risk score. Individual Time in Therapeutic Range (TTR) among warfarin users was 42%. The incidence rate of ischemic stroke and death increased with age. The rate of stroke increased from 2 per 1000 person years in patients with CHA(2)DS(2)_VASC SCORE of 0, to 58 per 1000 person years in those with a score of 9.

Conclusions: In the present study the prevalence and incidence of AF, stroke, and death were comparable to those reported in Europe and North America. The low use of anticoagulation calls for measures to increase adherence to current treatment recommendations in order to improve outcomes.

Keywords: anticoagulants; atrial fibrillation; epidemiology; stroke.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Prevalence of atrial fibrillation in January 1, 2004, according to age and gender.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Study population of incident atrial fibrillation cases between 2004 and 2012.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Incidence of atrial fibrillation 2004–2012 according to age and gender.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Distribution of time in therapeutic range among incident atrial fibrillation patients treated with warfarin.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Incidence of stroke among incident atrial fibrillation patients according to age and gender.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Death rate among incident atrial fibrillation patients according to age and gender.
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
Survival curves describing the risk of death (A) and ischemic stroke (CVA‐cerebrovascular accident) (B) over time in patients with incident atrial fibrillation (AF).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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