Low Consultation Rate of General Population with Atrial Fibrillation

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a significant risk factor for ischemic stroke.
• Identifying and treating undiagnosed or undertreated AF patients is crucial for stroke prevention.
• Understanding consultation rates in community settings is vital for public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the rate of medical consultation among individuals diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) during community-based health examinations.
• To assess the characteristics and stroke risk (CHADS₂ score) of AF patients who do not regularly visit medical institutions.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 4338 participants (≥40 years) from group medical examinations in Ibara City, Japan (2012-2014) were included.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) was used to diagnose AF. Data on regular medical visits and patient characteristics were collected via questionnaires and interviews.
• The prevalence of AF and the proportion of patients with irregular medical consultations were calculated.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of AF was 1.89% (82 subjects), with 51 diagnosed during the study period.
• Approximately 29.4% of AF patients did not regularly visit medical institutions.
• Among non-consulting AF patients, 73.3% had a CHADS₂ score >1, indicating a moderate to high stroke risk.

Conclusions:

• A significant proportion of atrial fibrillation patients in this Japanese rural community do not regularly seek medical attention.
• These non-consulting patients often have elevated stroke risk, highlighting a gap in stroke prevention efforts.
• Public awareness campaigns about AF and its associated risks are necessary to improve healthcare seeking behavior.