Increased atrial fibrillation risk in Parkinson’s disease: A nationwide population‐based study

Abstract

ObjectiveParkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder associated with various morbidities. Although the relationship between cardiovascular disease and PD has been studied, a paucity of information on PD and atrial fibrillation (AF) association exists. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether patients with PD have an increased risk of AF.MethodsThis study included 57,585 patients with newly diagnosed PD (≥40‐year‐old, mean age 69.7 years, men 40.2%) and without a history of AF from the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database between 2010 and 2015. Furthermore, an equal number of age‐ and sex‐matched subjects without PD were selected for comparison. The primary outcome was new‐onset AF.ResultsDuring the mean follow‐up period of 3.4 ± 1.8 years, AF was newly diagnosed in 3,665 patients. A significantly higher incidence rate of AF was noted among patients with PD than among patients without PD (10.75 and 7.86 per 1000 person‐year, respectively). Multivariate Cox‐regression analysis revealed that PD was an independent risk factor for AF (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18–1.36). Furthermore, subgroup analyses revealed that AF risk was higher in the younger age subgroups, and compared with the non‐PD group, the youngest PD group (age: 40–49 years) had a threefold increased risk of AF (HR: 3.06, 95% CI: 1.20–7.77).InterpretationPatients with PD, especially the younger age subgroups, have an increased risk of AF. Active surveillance and management of AF should be considered to prevent further complications.

Genetic predisposition to Parkinson's disease and risk of cardio and cerebrovascular disease: a Mendelian randomization study

“…PD patients often have prolonged atrial electromechanical delay, which is an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation [28]. In addition, previous studies have reported that PD was related to a higher risk of atrial fibrillation [29,30]. Further well-designed studies are warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms of PD in the development of IS and CES.…”

Parkinson´s disease cardiovascular symptoms: A new complex functional and structural insight

“…The occurrence of atrial fibrillation in PD patients was described by Han et al [17]. and Hong et al [26]; both studies used records from large population databases.…”

Machine Learning Identifies Six Genetic Variants and Alterations in the Heart Atrial Appendage as Key Contributors to PD Risk Predictivity

“…Moreover, AF has been strongly related to early-stage PD ( Hong et al, 2019 ). Moreover, Moon et al identified that patients with PD have an increased risk of AF, with a threefold increased risk (HR: 3.06, 95% CI: 1.20–7.77) of AF in younger PD patients (age: 40–49 years) ( Han et al, 2021 ). Observations of a cross-sectional PD patient cohort have identified abnormal blood flow patterns in brains ( Teune et al, 2014 ) and it is argued that AF-associated perturbation of the brain blood supply networks promotes tissue inflammation and damage leading to PD pathogenesis ( Junejo et al, 2020 ).…”