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Healthcare Resource Utilization in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation: A Global Analysis from the

Lorenzo G Mantovani1,2, Paolo Cozzolino1, Pietro Ferrara1,2

  • 1Center for Public Health Research, University of Milan-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy.

Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 11, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Atrial fibrillation (AF) management significantly impacts healthcare resource utilization (HCRU). Global AF patient HCRU varies geographically, influenced by health service availability and care models, highlighting significant differences in resource use across regions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Public Health
  • Health Economics

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia, significantly affecting healthcare resource utilization (HCRU).
  • Understanding global HCRU in AF patients is crucial for healthcare planning and resource allocation.
  • The GARFIELD-AF registry provides a platform for characterizing HCRU in a diverse, international AF population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate global healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).
  • To identify geographical variations in the type, quantity, and frequency of AF-related HCRU.
  • To explore potential factors influencing these geographical differences in HCRU.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study design utilizing data from the GARFIELD-AF registry (2012-2016).
  • Inclusion of 49,574 patients across 35 countries, with a median follow-up of 719 days.
  • Assessment of HCRU components: hospital admissions, outpatient visits, and diagnostic/interventional procedures, analyzed by region.

Main Results:

  • Nearly all patients (99.5%) experienced at least one outpatient visit.
  • Hospital admissions were frequent, with rates around 37-42% in North America, Europe, Australia, Egypt, and South Africa.
  • Asia and Latin America reported lower rates of hospitalizations, outpatient visits, and procedures, indicating significant geographical disparities in AF-related HCRU.

Conclusions:

  • AF management is associated with substantial global healthcare resource utilization.
  • Significant geographical variations exist in AF-related HCRU, suggesting differences in healthcare access and delivery models.
  • Further research into regional health service availability and care practices is warranted to address these disparities.

Keywords:
atrial fibrillationhealthcare resource utilizationinpatient careoutpatient care

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