The association of new-onset atrial fibrillation and risk of cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background There are distinct results for the relationship between new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) and subsequent incident cancer. To date, no systematic analysis has been conducted on this issue. This study aims to explore the relationship between NOAF and the risk of developing cancer through a meta-analysis with a large sample size. Methods Electronic databases, such as PubMed and EMBASE, were searched for published relevant studies on NOAF patients diagnosed with cancer after and during follow-ups, including reported records of baseline information and the statistical result of morbidity. Two investigators independently reviewed the articles and extracted the data using uniform standards and definitions. The meta-analysis was conducted using the Cochrane Program Review Manager. Results This meta-analysis consisted of five cohort studies and one case-control study, which comprised of 533,514 participants. The pooled relative risk (RR) for incident cancer was 1.24 (95% CI: 1.10-1.39, P=0.0003). The temporal trends analysis demonstrated that an increased risk of cancer was observed during the initial 90 days (RR: 3.44, 95% CI: 2.29-5.57, P<0.00001), but not after that. Lung cancer (RR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.47-1.55, P<0.00001) was associated with NOAF, but not colorectal cancer and breast cancer. Conclusion This meta-analysis provides evidence that NOAF is associated with increased risk of cancer. The risk of incident cancer particularly increases within 90 days after NOAF diagnosis, but not after that. The association of new-onset atrial fibrillation and risk of cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Construction and validation of a nomogram of risk factors for new-onset atrial fibrillation in advanced lung cancer patients after non-surgical therapy

“…A previous study observed that AF is not uncommon in hospitalized patients with lung cancer, and AF significantly prolonged hospital stay and care cost, suggesting potential adverse effect of AF on lung cancer (12). Moreover, another meta-analysis found a close association between diagnosis of NOAF within 90 days and risk of lung cancer, further extend the association between AF and lung cancer, and suggested the importance of detecting AF in patients with lung cancer (13).…”

Atrial fibrillation and breast cancer—Vicious twins? A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Our research is somewhat pioneering. Two previous metaanalyses reported an increased risk of cancer diagnosis within 90 days in patients with newly developed atrial fibrillation, but these studies focused on all malignancies rather than specific tumor subtypes (71,72). A recent meta-analysis reported the prevalence of atrial fibrillation in breast cancer patients across different types of cancer therapy (73).…”