Prevalence of abnormal glucose metabolism in atrial fibrillation: A case control study in 75-year old subjects
2008

Abnormal Glucose Metabolism in Atrial Fibrillation Among 75-Year-Olds

Sample size: 154 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Johansen Odd Erik, Brustad Ellen, Enger Steve, Tveit Arnljot

Primary Institution: Asker and Baerum Hospital

Hypothesis

Is there a prevalence of undiagnosed dysglycaemia among subjects with atrial fibrillation compared to those without?

Conclusion

Atrial fibrillation is linked to higher rates of chronic hyperglycaemia in older adults, especially if the duration of AF is five years or more.

Supporting Evidence

  • 3.7% of subjects without AF had undiagnosed diabetes compared to 13.0% with AF.
  • The prevalence of dysglycaemia was similar between groups, but higher in those with AF duration ≥ 5 years.
  • There was a significant correlation between AF duration and HbA1c levels.

Takeaway

Older people with atrial fibrillation might have high blood sugar levels, especially if they've had it for a long time.

Methodology

A case-control study assessing glucose metabolism using a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test among 75-year-old subjects with and without atrial fibrillation.

Potential Biases

Differences in vascular co-morbidity between groups may affect the interpretation of results.

Limitations

The study had a relatively small sample size and only included 75-year-old subjects.

Participant Demographics

75-year-old subjects, 34 males and 12 females with AF, and 73 males and 35 females without AF.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.031

Confidence Interval

[95% CI: 1.01, 16.25]

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1475-2840-7-28

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