The risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with gout: a nationwide population-based study

Yu-Jui Kuo1, Tzu-Hsien Tsai2, Hui-Ping Chang3

  • 1Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tainan Municipal Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan.

Scientific Reports
|September 8, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Gout patients have a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF). This study found a 38% increased risk of AF in individuals with gout, highlighting a link between this inflammatory condition and heart rhythm disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Rheumatology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Systemic inflammation is implicated in atrial fibrillation (AF) pathogenesis.
  • Gout, a chronic inflammatory disorder, has an unclear association with AF risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between gout and the risk of developing atrial fibrillation.
  • To evaluate if gout increases the likelihood of AF incidence in a large cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database for a cohort study.
  • Included 63,264 patients with gout and 63,264 matched controls.
  • Employed Cox regression analysis to assess AF risk, adjusting for comorbidities and medications.

Main Results:

  • Patients with gout had a higher cumulative incidence of AF (4.61% vs. 3.04%, P < 0.001).
  • Gout was significantly associated with an increased risk of AF (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 1.38) after adjusting for confounders.
  • The association between gout and AF risk decreased with increasing age.

Conclusions:

  • Gout is independently associated with an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation.
  • This finding underscores the importance of considering systemic inflammation in gout patients for AF risk assessment.
  • Further research may explore the underlying mechanisms linking gout and AF.

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