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Binge drinking less important risk factor on new-onset AF than frequent drinking
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The frequency of drinking is a more significant risk factor for new-onset atrial fibrillation than amount of alcohol consumed, according to a recent study published in EP Europace.
Researchers found that compared with people who drank twice per week, those who drank once per week had the lowest risk for new-onset AF (HR = 0.93; 95% CI, 0.92-0.95), whereas those who drank every day had the highest risk (HR = 1.41; 95% CI, 1.37-1.45). Nondrinkers were found to have higher risk for new-onset AF compared with those who drank twice per week (HR = 1.08; 95% CI, 1.06-1.1).
Researchers observed a 2% increase in risk for new-onset AF for every 1 g increase in alcohol consumption per week when weekly alcohol intake was set as a continuous variable. According to the study, compared with mild drinkers (> 0 g to < 105 g per week), nondrinkers (HR = 1.09; 95% CI, 1.07-1.1), moderate drinkers (105 g to < 210 g per week; HR = 1.08; 95% CI, 1.06-1.1) and heavy drinkers (at least 210 g per week; HR = 1.22, 95% CI, 1.19-1.24) had elevated risk for new-onset AF.
“Our study suggests that frequent drinking is more dangerous than infrequent binge drinking with regard to atrial fibrillation,” Jong-Il Choi, MD, of the Korea University College of Medicine and Korea University Anam Hospital in Seoul, South Korea, said in a press release. “The number of drinking sessions was related to atrial fibrillation onset regardless of age and sex. Repeated episodes of atrial fibrillation triggered by alcohol may lead to overt disease. In addition, drinking can provoke sleep disturbance, which is a known risk factor for atrial fibrillation.”
Among those who drank at least 210 g alcohol per week, those who drank more alcohol per drinking session had reduced risk for new-onset AF, according to the researchers.
Among the entire cohort, there was no relationship between amount of alcohol intake per drinking session and risk for new-onset AF.
“Recommendations about alcohol consumption have focused on reducing the absolute amount rather than the frequency,” Choi said in the release, “Our study suggests that drinking less often may also be important to protect against atrial fibrillation.”
Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, which includes 97.1% of all citizens of the Republic of Korea, who are all under a single medical insurer, researchers analyzed 9,776,956 patients without AF who also participated in a national health checkup program to determine the effect of drinking frequency, alcohol consumption per session and alcohol consumption per week on new-onset AF.
“Atrial fibrillation is a disease with multiple dreadful complications and significantly impaired quality of life,” Choi said in the release. “Preventing atrial fibrillation itself, rather than its complications, should be our first priority. Alcohol consumption is probably the most easily modifiable risk factor. To prevent new-onset atrial fibrillation, both the frequency and weekly amount of alcohol consumption should be reduced.” – by Scott Buzby
Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.
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