Copyright © 1999 by the European Society of Cardiology.
Decrease in mortality in patients with a hospital diagnosis of atrial fibrillation in Denmark during the period 1980–1993
a The Department of Cardiology, Amtssygehuset, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus
b Centre for Research in Health & Social Statistics, Copenhagen, Denmark
revised April 27, 1999; accepted April 28, 1999
Abstract
Background Atrial fibrillation is associated with increased mortality. We hypothesized that the death rate in atrial fibrillation patients in Denmark has diminished during the period 1980–1993.
Methods In a random sample of half of the Danish population, 30330 patients were found to have a diagnosis of incident atrial fibrillation in the Danish National Hospital Discharge Register 1980–1993. Information on previous and concomitant cardiovascular and metabolic diseases during the period 1977–1993 was sought in the register. The temporal trend in total and cardiovascular mortality in the cohort of atrial fibrillation patients was analysed.
Results A significant decrease in total and cardiovascular mortality was seen, 12–13% for total mortality and 17–18% for cardiovascular mortality. By adjusting for the decreasing cardiovascular mortality rate in the general population, a decrease in the relative risk of total mortality of 8–13% with time was seen for the atrial fibrillation cohort, compared with the population risk, while no reduction in the relative risk of cardiovascular death was seen.
Conclusion A significant decrease in mortality with calendar period occurred in the cohort of atrial fibrillation patients.
Key Words: Atrial fibrillation, epidemiology, prognosis
f1 Correspondence: Lars Frost, Department of Cardiology, Skejby Sygehus, Aarhus University Hospital, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.
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