Incidence and risk factors of atrial fibrillation in Asian COPD patients

To investigate the incidence and risk factors of atrial fibrillation (AF) in Asian chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

We selected a study population older than 40 years with a COPD diagnosis and who had used at least one inhaled bronchodilator medication between 1998 and 2012. The date of the index COPD diagnosis was defined as the index date. We excluded patients with a history of AF, significant mitral valve disease, disorders of the thyroid gland, or ischemic heart disease before the index date. We followed all patients from the index date to the day of AF occurrence, the day of death, or the date of December 31, 2013. The baseline of comorbidities was identified before the index date. Comorbidities included hypertension, diabetes mellitus, end-stage renal disease, congenital heart failure, stroke, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, and malignancy.

We included 6,208 COPD patients and 12,409 patients without COPD. The incidence of AF was higher in COPD patients than in those without COPD. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for AF among those with COPD was 2.23 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.98-2.51 compared to those without COPD. After multiple analyses, patients with hypertension (HR 1.43 [95% CI =1.26-1.62]) or heart failure (HR 2.36 [95% CI =1.81-3.08]) were found to have a significantly higher incidence of AF than those without these conditions.

It is important for physicians to monitor, prevent, and provide early intervention for AF in COPD patients with hypertension or heart failure.