New-onset arrhythmia associated with patients hospitalized for thyroid dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Hospital Medicine

Background:

• Thyroid dysfunction is linked to cardiovascular issues.
• The incidence of new-onset arrhythmias during thyroid disease hospitalizations is not well-established.
• This study investigates the frequency, outcomes, and resource utilization of new-onset arrhythmias in patients hospitalized for thyroid dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the frequency of new-onset arrhythmias in patients hospitalized for thyroid dysfunction.
• To analyze in-hospital outcomes, including mortality, for these patients.
• To assess the resource utilization, such as length of stay and cost, associated with these arrhythmias.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of hospitalizations for thyroid dysfunction using ICD-9-CM codes.
• Identification of new-onset arrhythmias using specific ICD-9-CM codes.
• Exclusion of pre-existing arrhythmias using the "present on admission" variable.

Main Results:

• Approximately 3% of thyroid dysfunction hospitalizations (n=12,111) resulted in new-onset arrhythmias.
• Atrioventricular block (1.49%) and atrial fibrillation (0.92%) were the most common arrhythmias.
• Patients with new-onset arrhythmias were older, had more comorbidities, and experienced higher in-hospital mortality (6.8% vs. 2.2%), longer stays, and increased costs.

Conclusions:

• New-onset arrhythmias are not significantly more frequent in thyroid dysfunction hospitalizations.
• However, when arrhythmias do occur, they are associated with increased in-hospital mortality and resource utilization.
• Thyroid function screening is recommended for hospitalized patients presenting with arrhythmias.