Atrial fibrillation (AF) and co-morbidity in elderly. A population based survey of 85 years old subjects

• Published in: Archives of gerontology and geriatrics Vol. 52; no. 3; pp. e170 - e175
• Main Authors: Rådholm, Karin, Östgren, Carl Johan, Alehagen, Urban, Falk, Magnus, Wressle, Ewa, Marcusson, Jan, Nägga, Katarina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.05.2011
• Subjects: Aged, 80 and over; Atrial fibrillation; Atrial Fibrillation - diagnosis; Atrial Fibrillation - epidemiology; CHADS2 score; Clinical Medicine; Co-morbidities of elderly; Comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Echocardiography; Electrocardiography; Female; Health status; Health-related quality of life; Humans; Internal Medicine; Klinisk medicin; Male; Mass Screening; Medical and Health Sciences; Medical examinations; MEDICIN; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; MEDICINE; Neurologi; Neurology; Oral anticoagulation; Prevalence; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires; Health-related quality of life; CHADS2 score; Oral anticoagulation; Atrial fibrillation; Co-morbidities of elderly
• ISSN: 0167-4943; 1872-6976; 1872-6976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2010.10.024

The occurrence of AF increases sharply with age. The aim of this study was to explore and compare prevalent co-morbidity and self-estimated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in subjects with AF versus subjects with sinus rhythm or pacemaker in 85 years old subjects. We analyzed data from a population of 336 eighty-five years old subjects participating in the Elderly in Linköping Screening Assessment (ELSA-85) study. Medical history was obtained from postal questionnaire, medical records and during medical examination that included a physical examination, cognitive tests, non-fasting venous blood samples and electrocardiographic (ECG) examination. 19% had an ECG showing AF. There were very few significant differences regarding medical history, self-estimated quality of life (QoL), laboratory- and examination findings and use of public health care between the AF group and the non-AF group. The study showed that the population of 85 years old subjects with AF was surprisingly healthy in terms of prevalent co-existing medical conditions, healthcare contacts and overall HRQoL. We conclude that elderly patients with AF do not in general have increased co-morbidity than subjects without AF.