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Lewy body dementia is associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation: A case-control study

Miguel Tábuas-Pereira1, João Durães2, José Beato-Coelho3

  • 1Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.

Journal of Clinical Neuroscience : Official Journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
|March 7, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) is associated with a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study found a significant link between LBD and AF, independent of other heart conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiology
  • Geriatrics

Background:

  • Lewy bodies are characteristic of Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLBD).
  • Lewy bodies in the sinoatrial node suggest a potential link to cardiac dysfunction.
  • Previous observations indicate a possible association between Lewy bodies and heart disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLBD) and atrial fibrillation (AF).
  • To determine if DLBD is an independent risk factor for AF.
  • To analyze the relationship between neurodegenerative diseases and cardiac arrhythmias.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study was conducted using a cohort of patients with degenerative dementias.
  • Included patients diagnosed with Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLBD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD).
  • Binomial logistic regression analysis, adjusted for comorbidities, was used to assess the association between DLBD and AF.

Main Results:

  • The study included 461 patients: 398 with AD and 63 with DLBD.
  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) prevalence was 11.3% in AD patients and 22.2% in DLBD patients.
  • DLBD (OR=2.536, p=0.028), heart failure (OR=3.345, p=0.001), hypertension (OR=2.547, p=0.023), and stroke (OR=2.274, p=0.046) were significantly associated with AF.

Conclusions:

  • A significant association exists between Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLBD) and Atrial Fibrillation (AF).
  • DLBD is an independent risk factor for developing AF.
  • These findings highlight the importance of cardiac screening in DLBD patients.
Abstract

Keywords:
Alpha-synucleinAlzheimerAtrial fibrillationLewyStroke

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