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Glucocorticoid use and risk of atrial fibrillation or flutter: a population-based, case-control study

Christian Fynbo Christiansen1, Steffen Christensen, Frank Mehnert

  • 1Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Olof Palmes Alle 43-45, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark. cc@dce.au.dk

Archives of Internal Medicine
|October 14, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Current glucocorticoid use nearly doubles the risk of developing atrial fibrillation or flutter. This study found a significant association, highlighting potential cardiovascular risks of these medications.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Glucocorticoid medications are linked to cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke.
  • Limited data exist on the association between glucocorticoid use and atrial fibrillation or flutter risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between current and former glucocorticoid use and the risk of developing atrial fibrillation or flutter.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based, case-control study in Northern Denmark (1.7 million people) from 1999-2005.
  • Included 20,221 patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation/flutter and 202,130 matched population controls.
  • Glucocorticoid prescription data (current/former use) and confounders were analyzed using conditional logistic regression.

Main Results:

  • Current glucocorticoid use was associated with a nearly 2-fold increased risk of atrial fibrillation/flutter (adjusted OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.79-2.06).
  • New users had a higher risk (adjusted OR, 3.62) than long-term users (adjusted OR, 1.66).
  • Former glucocorticoid use showed no increased risk (adjusted OR, 1.00).

Conclusions:

  • Current glucocorticoid use is significantly associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation or flutter.
  • The findings underscore the importance of monitoring cardiac health in patients using glucocorticoids.
Abstract

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