Euijae Lee1, Eue-Keun Choi2, Jin-Hyung Jung3, Kyung-Do Han3, So-Ryoung Lee1, Myung-Jin Cha1, Woo-Hyun Lim4, Seil Oh1. 1. Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 2. Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: choiek17@snu.ac.kr. 3. Department of Biostatistics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 4. Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Seoul Metropolitan Government Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic inflammation plays a role in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there is a paucity of information about whether Behçet's disease (BD) is associated with an increased risk of AF. This population-based study aimed to determine the risk of AF in patients with BD. METHODS: A total of 6636 newly diagnosed BD patients without a history of AF were included from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database between 2010 and 2014. Newly diagnosed non-valvular AF was identified using the claims data. An age- and sex-matched non-BD subjects were extracted at a ratio of 1:5 (n = 31,040). The incidence and risk of AF were compared between groups. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 3.6 ± 1.5 years, AF was newly diagnosed in 173 patients (51 in the BD group, 122 in the control group). The incidence was 2.3 and 1.1 per 1000 person-years, respectively. After adjustment, the BD group showed a 1.8-fold higher risk of AF compared to the control group. Patients with BD aged ≤40 years had a higher risk of AF, while patients aged ≥65 years showed a similar risk. Men with BD had a 2.5-fold increased risk of AF, whereas women with BD did not. Severe BD had a higher risk for AF compared to non-severe BD and controls. CONCLUSIONS: BD was associated with an increased risk of AF, particularly in men and young patients. Active surveillance and treatment are needed in BD patients and those with arrhythmic symptoms.
BACKGROUND:Chronic inflammation plays a role in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there is a paucity of information about whether Behçet's disease (BD) is associated with an increased risk of AF. This population-based study aimed to determine the risk of AF in patients with BD. METHODS: A total of 6636 newly diagnosed BD patients without a history of AF were included from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database between 2010 and 2014. Newly diagnosed non-valvular AF was identified using the claims data. An age- and sex-matched non-BD subjects were extracted at a ratio of 1:5 (n = 31,040). The incidence and risk of AF were compared between groups. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 3.6 ± 1.5 years, AF was newly diagnosed in 173 patients (51 in the BD group, 122 in the control group). The incidence was 2.3 and 1.1 per 1000 person-years, respectively. After adjustment, the BD group showed a 1.8-fold higher risk of AF compared to the control group. Patients with BD aged ≤40 years had a higher risk of AF, while patients aged ≥65 years showed a similar risk. Men with BD had a 2.5-fold increased risk of AF, whereas women with BD did not. Severe BD had a higher risk for AF compared to non-severe BD and controls. CONCLUSIONS: BD was associated with an increased risk of AF, particularly in men and young patients. Active surveillance and treatment are needed in BD patients and those with arrhythmic symptoms.