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For a period of ten years from 2001 to 2010, there were over four million Americans hospitalized for atrial fibrillation, a medical condition that is characterized by an irregular heartbeat. This is according to the results of a recent study that was published in the May 2014 issue of the medical journal Circulation. This number of cases represented a relative increase of about 46 percent, an increase which was very alarming to the research group. For the year 2010 alone, the American Heart Association (AHA) estimated that at least 2.7 million American adults suffered from this condition.
Ten-Year Study
A team of researchers that included Dr. Nileshkumar Patel, an internal medicine specialist from the Staten Island University Hospital in New York City, carried out a study with the objective of determining the incidence of the medical condition atrial fibrillation and the different factors associated with this condition. These variables would include total costs spent in relation to this ailment, the distribution of these cases across the United States, and the common risk factors.
Key Findings of the Study
In addition to determining the actual number of atrial fibrillation cases and the rate of increase during the period, other relevant information gathered included the following:
· Researchers revealed that during the study period, hospitalizations for atrial fibrillation jumped by 23 percent, with the costs of treating patients increasing by 24 percent. A big number of patients who were hospitalized were those who were over the age of 60 years.
· In terms of gender, there were more women who were hospitalized during the study period. It was noted however by the research group that this difference in gender is narrowing.
· It was found that there were more cases of atrial fibrillation in hospitals located in the South at 38 percent. The lowest at 14 percent were those coming from the west.
· The researchers noted a decline in deaths related to atrial fibrillation. Those that resulted to heart failure had the highest death rates and these were prevalent among patients over the age of 80 years.
· Days spent in the hospital for the treatment of atrial fibrillation did not change through the years. However, cost of hospitalization had a huge increase of 32 percent.
· It was noted that most of the patients also suffered from other health conditions. About 60 percent of them also had high blood pressure and diabetes while 20 percent were reported to have lung disease.
· Very alarming was the outcome which showed that about 12 percent of the patients also had kidney failure. This was an increase of four times based on 2000 records.
The study’s outcome that there was an increase in hospitalization of patients suffering from atrial fibrillation is significant since this shows the severity of the disease as well as the rise in incidence. It must be remembered that atrial fibrillation can lead to stoke which can be very devastating to any patient.
It would appear as very promising the entry of new blood thinners in the treatment of atrial fibrillation if only serious side effects were controlled. The market for these medications has grown dramatically in recent years, with Xarelto overtaking Pradaxa in prescriptions for atrial fibrillation.
References:
drugs.com/news/more-americans-hospitalized-irregular-heartbeat-study-finds-51663.html
sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131118162549.htm
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