Risk of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases with Antiarrhythmic Drugs in Arrhythmia Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

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Jiun-Jie Lin1,2, Hung-Yi Chen3,4, Mei-Chen Lin5,6

  • 1Department of Pharmacy, Feng-Yuan Hospital, Ministry of Health Welfare, Taichung, Taiwan.

Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders Drug Targets
|April 28, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) are associated with an increased risk of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases (SADs) in arrhythmia patients. The study found higher incidences of Systemic Lupus Erythematous, Sjögren syndrome, and Rheumatoid Arthritis among AAD users.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Rheumatology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Risk factors for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases (SADs) in patients using antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) remain unclear.
  • Understanding these associations is crucial for patient safety and treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the risk factors for SADs in arrhythmia patients treated with AADs.
  • To identify specific autoimmune diseases associated with AAD use in an Asian population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study utilizing Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (2000-2013).
  • Analysis included adult patients (20-100 years) without prior SAD diagnosis.
  • Cox regression models were employed to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and confidence intervals (CI).

Main Results:

  • AAD users (n=138,376) exhibited a significantly increased risk of developing SADs compared to non-AAD users.
  • Elevated SAD risk was observed across all age and sex categories.
  • Specific SADs with significantly higher risk included Systemic Lupus Erythematous (aHR 1.53), Sjögren syndrome (aHR 2.06), and Rheumatoid Arthritis (aHR 1.57).

Conclusions:

  • A statistical association exists between AAD use and an increased incidence of SADs.
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematous, Sjögren syndrome, and Rheumatoid Arthritis are the most prominent SADs linked to AADs in arrhythmia patients.
Abstract

Keywords:
AAD.Arrhythmia PatientsSystemic autoimmune diseaseantiarrhythmic drugmedication risk assessmentthe asian population

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