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Incident Atrial Fibrillation and Disability-Free Survival in the Cardiovascular Health Study.

TitleIncident Atrial Fibrillation and Disability-Free Survival in the Cardiovascular Health Study.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsWallace, ER, Siscovick, DS, Sitlani, CM, Dublin, S, Mitchell, PH, Odden, MC, Hirsch, CH, Thielke, S, Heckbert, SR
JournalJ Am Geriatr Soc
Volume64
Issue4
Pagination838-43
Date Published2016 Apr
ISSN1532-5415
KeywordsActivities of Daily Living, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Atrial Fibrillation, Disability Evaluation, Electrocardiography, Female, Geriatric Assessment, Humans, Incidence, Longevity, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Medicare, Prevalence, Prospective Studies, Survival Rate, United States
Abstract<p><b>OBJECTIVES: </b>To assess the associations between incident atrial fibrillation (AF) and disability-free survival and risk of disability.</p><p><b>DESIGN: </b>Prospective cohort study.</p><p><b>SETTING: </b>Cardiovascular Health Study.</p><p><b>PARTICIPANTS: </b>Individuals aged 65 and older and enrolled in fee-for-service Medicare followed between 1991 and 2009 (MN = 4,046). Individuals with prevalent AF, activity of daily living (ADL) disability, or a history of stroke or heart failure at baseline were excluded.</p><p><b>MEASUREMENTS: </b>Incident AF was identified according to annual study electrocardiogram, hospital discharge diagnosis, or Medicare claims. Disability-free survival was defined as survival free of ADL disability (any difficulty or inability in bathing, dressing, eating, using the toilet, walking around the home, or getting out of a bed or chair). ADLs were assessed at annual study visits or in a telephone interview. Association between incident AF and disability-free survival or risk of disability was estimated using Cox proportional hazards models.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>Over an average of 7.0 years of follow-up, 660 individuals (16.3%) developed incident AF, and 3,112 (77%) became disabled or died. Incident AF was associated with shorter disability-free survival (hazard ratio (HR) for death or ADL disability = 1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.55-1.90) and a higher risk of ADL disability (HR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.18-1.58) than in individuals with no history of AF. This association persisted after adjustment for interim stroke and heart failure.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION: </b>These results suggest that AF is a risk factor for shorter functional longevity in older adults, independent of other risk factors and comorbid conditions.</p>
DOI10.1111/jgs.14037
Alternate JournalJ Am Geriatr Soc
PubMed ID26926559
PubMed Central IDPMC4840029
Grant ListAG023629 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
HHSN268200800007C / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
HHSN268200800007C / / PHS HHS / United States
HHSN268201200036C / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
HHSN268201200036C / / PHS HHS / United States
HL080295 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
HL102214 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
IT32-HL07902 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01 HC085079 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01 HC085080 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01 HC55222 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC55222 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC85079 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC85080 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC85081 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC85081 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC85082 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC85082 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC85083 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC85083 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC85086 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC85086 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
R01 HL080295 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States