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Is there a link between gastroesophageal reflux disease and atrial fibrillation?

Jeffrey S Kunz1, Brian Hemann, J Edwin Atwood

  • 1Cardiology Service, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA. jeffrey.kunz@amedd.army.mil

Clinical Cardiology
|November 14, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is linked to a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation. This study found that patients with GERD were more likely to be diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Previous research indicates a possible connection between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and atrial fibrillation.
  • Understanding this association is crucial for patient risk stratification and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential relationship between GERD and the incidence of atrial fibrillation.
  • To determine if GERD is an independent risk factor for atrial fibrillation.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of healthcare encounters from a large military health system database (2001-2007).
  • Inclusion of 163,627 adult patients, examining International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) diagnoses for GERD and atrial fibrillation.
  • Statistical analysis to assess the relative risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with GERD, with adjustments for confounding factors.

Main Results:

  • A significant association was observed between GERD and atrial fibrillation.
  • Patients with GERD had an increased relative risk (RR: 1.39) of atrial fibrillation diagnosis.
  • This association remained significant after adjusting for cardiovascular disease risk factors (RR: 1.19) and known atrial fibrillation risk factors (RR: 1.08).

Conclusions:

  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease is associated with an elevated risk of atrial fibrillation diagnosis.
  • The findings suggest GERD may be an independent risk factor or a marker for increased atrial fibrillation risk.
Abstract

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