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Research uncovers independent association between AF, dementia in older adults
Atrial fibrillation appears to increase risk for dementia in older adults who have not had an acute stroke and have normal baseline cognitive function.
In addition, the results of the meta-analysis support the suggestion that dementia be included among outcomes assessed in AF treatment trials, Pasquale Santangeli, MD, from the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, St. David's Medical Center, Austin, TX, and colleagues wrote in HeartRhythm.
The meta-analysis included eight studies with 77,668 patients (mean age range 61 to 84 years). All patients had normal cognitive function at baseline and 15% had AF.
After a mean follow-up of 7.7 years, 4,773 of 73,321 (6.5%) patients developed dementia. After adjusting for baseline covariates including age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, CAD and previous incidence of stroke, the researchers found an independent association with AF and increased risk for incident dementia (HR=1.42; 95% CI, 1.17-1.72).
“Thus far, whether AF increases the prevalence of dementia in patients with normal cognitive function not suffering acute stroke was controversial. Our analysis shows an independent, longitudinal association in a very large population over time,’ Santangeli stated in a press release. “This correlation demonstrates the critical need for all patients with AF to be periodically screened for dementia in order to reach an early diagnosis and treatment of the condition.”
Disclosure: Luigi Di Biase, MD, PhD, FHRS, reports receiving consulting fees from Biosense Webster and Hansen Medical. Andrea Natale, MD, FHRS, reports receiving consulting fees/honoraria from Biosense Webster, Biotronik, Boston Scientific, Medtronic and Lifewatch. Santangeli reports no relevant financial disclosures.