BackgroundLimited data are available on return to work and subsequent detachment from employment after admission for myocardial infarction (MI).Methods and ResultsUsing individual‐level linkage of data from nationwide registries, we identified patients of working age (30–65 years) discharged after first‐time MI in the period 1997 to 2012, who were employed before admission. To assess the cumulative incidence of return to work and detachment from employment, the Aalen Johansen estimator was used. Incidences were compared with population controls matched on age and sex. Logistic regression was applied to estimate odds ratios for associations between detachment from employment and age, sex, comorbidities, income, and education level. Of 39 296 patients of working age discharged after first‐time MI, 22 394 (56.9%) were employed before admission. Within 1 year 91.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90.7%–91.5%) of subjects had returned to work, but 1 year after their return 24.2% (95% CI, 23.6%–24.8%) were detached from employment and received social benefits. Detachment rates were highest in patients aged 60 to 65 and 30 to 39 years, and significantly higher in patients with MI compared with population controls. Predictors of detachment were heart failure (odds ratio 1.20 [95% CI, 1.08–1.34]), diabetes mellitus (odds ratio 1.13 [95% CI, 1.01–1.25]), and depression (odds ratio 1.77 [95% CI, 1.55–2.01]). High education level and high income favored continued employment.ConclusionsDespite that most patients returned to work after first‐time MI, about 1 in 4 was detached from employment after 1 year. Several factors including age and lower socioeconomic status were associated with risk of detachment from employment.

IMPORTANCE Syncope may have serious consequences for traffic safety. Current clinical guideline recommendations on driving following syncope are primarily based on expert consensus. OBJECTIVE To identify whether there is excess risk of motor vehicle crashes among patients with syncope compared with the general population.

IMPORTANCE Sparse data and conflicting evidence exist on the prevalence of pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with syncope.OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of PE among patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) for evaluation of syncope. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTSThis retrospective, observational study analyzed longitudinal administrative data from 5 databases in 4 different countries (Canada, Denmark, Italy, and the United States). Data from all adult patients (aged Ն18 years) who presented to the ED were screened to identify those with syncope codes at discharge. Data were collected from January 1, 2000, through September 30, 2016. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURESThe prevalence of PE at ED and hospital discharge, identified using codes from the International Classification of Diseases, was considered the primary outcome. Two sensitivity analyses considering prevalence of PE at 90 days of follow-up and prevalence of venous thromboembolism were performed.RESULTS A total of 1 671 944 unselected adults who presented to the ED for syncope were included. The prevalence of PE, according to administrative data, ranged from 0.06% (95% CI, 0.05%-0.06%) to 0.55% (95% CI, 0.50%-0.61%) for all patients and from 0.15% (95% CI, 0.14%-0.16%) to 2.10% (95% CI, 1.84%-2.39%) for hospitalized patients. The prevalence of PE at 90 days of follow-up ranged from 0.14% (95% CI, 0.13%-0.14%) to 0.83% (95% CI, 0.80%-0.86%) for all patients and from 0.35% (95% CI, 0.34%-0.37%) to 2.63% (95% CI, 2.34%-2.95%) for hospitalized patients. Finally, the prevalence of venous thromboembolism at 90 days ranged from 0.30% (95% CI, 0.29%-0.31%) to 1.37% (95% CI, 1.33%-1.41%) for all patients and from 0.75% (95% CI, 0.73%-0.78%) to 3.86% (95% CI, 3.51%-4.24%) for hospitalized patients.CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Pulmonary embolism was rarely identified in patients with syncope. Although PE should be considered in every patient, not all patients should undergo evaluation for PE.

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OBJECTIVES Management of atrial fibrillation (AF) with rate and/or rhythm control could lead to fall‐related injuries and syncope, especially in the older AF population. We aimed to determine the association of rate and/or rhythm control with fall‐related injuries and syncope in a real‐world older AF cohort. DESIGN A retrospective cohort study. SETTING Danish nationwide administrative registries from 2000 to 2015. PARTICIPANTS A total of 100 935 patients with AF aged 65 years or older claiming prescription of rate‐lowering drugs (RLDs) and/or anti‐arrhythmic drugs (AADs) were included. We compared the use of rate‐lowering monotherapy with rate‐lowering dual therapy, AAD monotherapy, and AAD combined with rate‐lowering therapy. MEASUREMENTS Outcomes were fall‐related injuries and syncope as a composite end point (primary) or separate end point (secondary). RESULTS In this population, the median age was 78 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 72‐84 y), and 53 481 (53.0%) were women. During a median follow‐up of 2.1 years (IQR = 1.0‐5.1), 17 132 (17.0%) experienced a fall‐related injury, 5745 (5.7%) had a syncope, and 21 093 (20.9%) experienced either. Compared with rate‐lowering monotherapy, AADs were associated with a higher risk of fall‐related injuries and syncope. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) for the composite end point was 1.29 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17‐1.43) for AAD monotherapy and 1.46 [95% CI = 1.34‐1.58] for AAD combined with rate‐lowering therapy. When stratifying by individual drugs, amiodarone significantly increased the risk of fall‐related injuries and syncope (IRR = 1.40 [1.26‐1.55]). Compared with more than 180 days of rate‐lowering monotherapy, a higher risk of all outcomes was seen in the first 90 days of any treatment; however, the greatest risk was in the first 14 days for those treated with AADs. CONCLUSION In AF patients aged 65 years and older, AAD use was associated with a higher risk of fall‐related injuries and syncope, and the risk was highest within the first 14 days for those treated with AADs. Only amiodarone use was associated with a higher risk. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:2023–2030, 2019