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Hernandez I, Yang L, Tang S, Cameron T, Guo J, Gabriel N, Essien UR, Magnani JW, Gellad WF. COVID-19 pandemic and trends in clinical outcomes and medication use for patients with established atrial fibrillation: A nationwide analysis of claims data. AMERICAN HEART JOURNAL PLUS : CARDIOLOGY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2024; 42:100396. [PMID: 38689680 PMCID: PMC11059438 DOI: 10.1016/j.ahjo.2024.100396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Study objective The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted multiple aspects of the health care system, including the diagnosis and control of chronic conditions. This study aimed to quantify pandemic-related changes in the rates of clinical events among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Design/setting/participants In this retrospective cohort study, we identified individuals with established AF at any time before 2019 using de-identified Optum's Clinformatics® Data Mart, and followed them from 3/18/2019 to death, or disenrollment, or the end of the study (09/30/2021). Main outcome Rates of clinical event, including all-cause hospitalization, ischemic stroke, and bleeding. We constructed interrupted time series to test changes in outcomes after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (3/11/2020, date of pandemic declaration). We then identified the first month after the start of the pandemic in which outcomes returned to pre-pandemic levels. Results A total of 561,758 patients, with a mean age of 77 ± 9.9 years, were included in the study. The monthly incidence rate of all-cause hospitalization decreased from 2.8 % in the period immediately before the pandemic declaration to 1.7 % in the period immediately after, with p-value for level change<0.001. The rate of new ischemic stroke diagnoses decreased from 0.28 % in the period immediately before pandemic declaration to 0.20 % in the period immediately after, and the rate of major bleeding diagnoses from 0.81 % to 0.59 %, both p-values for level change<0.01. The incidence rate of ischemic stroke and bleeding events returned to pre-pandemic levels in October and November 2020, respectively. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a decrease in health care visits for ischemic stroke and bleeding in a nationwide cohort of patients with established AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Hernandez
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, University of California, San Diego, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Lanting Yang
- Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Shangbin Tang
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, University of California, San Diego, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Teresa Cameron
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, University of California, San Diego, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Jingchuan Guo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, University of Florida College of Pharmacy, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - Nico Gabriel
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, University of California, San Diego, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Utibe R. Essien
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
- Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation & Policy, Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Jared W. Magnani
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Walid F. Gellad
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
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Lin KJ, Singer DE, Avorn J, Heist EK, Sreedhara SK, Anand P, Zhang Y, Tsacogianis TN, Schneeweiss S. Patient Characteristics Associated With Using Transcatheter Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Versus Oral Anticoagulants for Atrial Fibrillation. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2024; 17:e010279. [PMID: 38440888 PMCID: PMC10950527 DOI: 10.1161/circoutcomes.123.010279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is an alternative to oral anticoagulants (OACs) for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation, but the predictors of LAAO use in routine care are unclear. We aimed to assess the utilization trends of LAAO and compare the change in characteristics of LAAO users versus OACs since its marketing. METHODS Using the US Medicare claims database (March 15, 2015, to December 31, 2020), we identified patients with atrial fibrillation, ≥65 years, and CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2 (men) or ≥3 (women), with either first implantation of an LAAO device or initiation of OACs, including apixaban, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, edoxaban, or warfarin. Patient characteristics, measured 365 days before the first LAAO or OAC use date, were compared using logistic regression. RESULTS There were 30 058 LAAO recipients (mean age, 77.74 years; female, 42.1%) and 792 600 OAC initiators (mean age, 78.48; female, 53.3%). In 2020, patients had higher odds of initiating LAAO use than in 2015 (0.52 versus 9.32%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 13.64 [95% CI, 12.56-14.81]). Old age (ie, >85 versus 65-75 years; aOR, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.80-0.88]), female sex (aOR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.71-0.76]), Black race (aOR, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.58-0.68]) versus White race, and Medicaid eligibility (aOR, 0.61 [95% CI, 0.58-0.64]) were associated with lower odds of receiving LAAO. Among clinical characteristics, frailty, cancer, fractures, and venous thromboembolism were associated with lower odds of LAAO use, while history of intracranial and extracranial bleeding, coagulopathy, and falls were associated with higher odds of receiving LAAO. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with atrial fibrillation receiving stroke-preventive therapy, LAAO use increased rapidly from 2015 to 2020 and was positively associated with the risk factors for OAC complications but negatively associated with old age, advanced frailty, and cancer. Black race and female sex were associated with a lower likelihood of receiving LAAO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kueiyu Joshua Lin
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Daniel E Singer
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Jerry Avorn
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - E. Kevin Heist
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Sushama Kattinakere Sreedhara
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Priyanka Anand
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Yichi Zhang
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Theodore N. Tsacogianis
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Sebastian Schneeweiss
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
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Martin SS, Aday AW, Almarzooq ZI, Anderson CAM, Arora P, Avery CL, Baker-Smith CM, Barone Gibbs B, Beaton AZ, Boehme AK, Commodore-Mensah Y, Currie ME, Elkind MSV, Evenson KR, Generoso G, Heard DG, Hiremath S, Johansen MC, Kalani R, Kazi DS, Ko D, Liu J, Magnani JW, Michos ED, Mussolino ME, Navaneethan SD, Parikh NI, Perman SM, Poudel R, Rezk-Hanna M, Roth GA, Shah NS, St-Onge MP, Thacker EL, Tsao CW, Urbut SM, Van Spall HGC, Voeks JH, Wang NY, Wong ND, Wong SS, Yaffe K, Palaniappan LP. 2024 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of US and Global Data From the American Heart Association. Circulation 2024; 149:e347-e913. [PMID: 38264914 DOI: 10.1161/cir.0000000000001209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The American Heart Association (AHA), in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and obesity) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose control, and metabolic syndrome) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The AHA Heart Disease and Stroke Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, brain health, complications of pregnancy, kidney disease, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, sudden cardiac arrest, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, valvular disease, venous thromboembolism, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs). METHODS The AHA, through its Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States and globally to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update with review of published literature through the year before writing. The 2024 AHA Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort in 2023 by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and AHA staff members. The AHA strives to further understand and help heal health problems inflicted by structural racism, a public health crisis that can significantly damage physical and mental health and perpetuate disparities in access to health care, education, income, housing, and several other factors vital to healthy lives. This year's edition includes additional global data, as well as data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, with an enhanced focus on health equity across several key domains. RESULTS Each of the chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics. CONCLUSIONS The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policymakers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.
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Yang L, Tang S, He M, Guo J, Gabriel N, Swabe G, Gellad WF, Essien UR, Saba S, Benjamin EJ, Magnani JW, Hernandez I. COVID-19 pandemic and initiation of treatment for atrial fibrillation: a nationwide analysis of claims data. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2023; 23:604. [PMID: 38066445 PMCID: PMC10704685 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-023-03614-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly disrupted the delivery of medical care. It remains unclear whether individuals diagnosed with new onset disease during the pandemic were less likely to initiate treatments after diagnosis. We sought to evaluate changes in the treatment initiation of patients newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, we identified individuals with incident AF from 01/01/2016-09/30/2021 using Optum's de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart Database. The primary outcome was initiation of oral anticoagulation (OAC) within 30 days of AF diagnosis. Secondary outcomes included initiation of OAC within 180 days of diagnosis, initiation of warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), rhythm control medications and electrical cardioversion within 30 days of diagnosis. We constructed interrupted time series analyses to examine changes in the outcomes following the onset of the pandemic. RESULTS A total of 573,524 patients (age 73.0 ± 10.9 years) were included in the study. There were no significant changes in the initiation of OAC, DOAC, and rhythm control medications associated with the onset of the pandemic. There was a significant decrease in initiation of electrical cardioversion associated with the onset of the pandemic. The rate of electronic cardioversion within 30 days of diagnosis decreased by 4.9% per 1,000 patients after the onset of the pandemic and decreased by about 35% in April 2020, compared to April 2019, from 5.53% to 3.58%. CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic did not affect the OAC initiation within 30 days of AF diagnosis but was associated with a decline in the provision of procedures for patients newly diagnosed with AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanting Yang
- Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Shangbin Tang
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Meiqi He
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jingchuan Guo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, University of Florida College of Pharmacy, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Nico Gabriel
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Gretchen Swabe
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Walid F Gellad
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Utibe R Essien
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation & Policy, University of California, Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Samir Saba
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Emelia J Benjamin
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center and Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jared W Magnani
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Inmaculada Hernandez
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Lin KJ, Singer DE, Ko D, Glynn R, Najafzadeh M, Lee SB, Bessette LG, Cervone A, DiCesare E, Kim DH. Frailty, Home Time, and Health Care Costs in Older Adults With Atrial Fibrillation Receiving Oral Anticoagulants. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2342264. [PMID: 37943558 PMCID: PMC10636636 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.42264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance There are no data on patient-centered outcomes and health care costs by frailty in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) taking oral anticoagulants (OACs). Objective To compare home time, clinical events, and health care costs associated with OACs by frailty levels in older adults with AF. Design, Setting, and Participants This community-based cohort study assessed Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries 65 years or older with AF from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2019. Data analysis was performed from January to December 2022. Exposures Apixaban, rivaroxaban, and warfarin use were measured from prescription claims. Frailty was measured using a validated claims-based frailty index. Main outcomes and measures Outcome measures were (1) home time (days alive out of the hospital and skilled nursing facility) loss greater than 14 days; (2) a composite end point of ischemic stroke, systemic embolism, major bleeding, or death; and (3) total cost per member per year after propensity score overlap weighting. Results The weighted population comprised 136 551 beneficiaries, including 45 950 taking apixaban (mean [SD] age, 77.6 [7.3] years; 51.3% female), 45 320 taking rivaroxaban (mean [SD] age, 77.6 [7.3] years; 51.9% female), and 45 281 taking warfarin (mean [SD] age, 77.6 [7.3] years; 52.0% female). Compared with apixaban, rivaroxaban was associated with increased risk of home time lost greater than 14 days (risk difference per 100 persons, 1.8 [95% CI, 1.5-2.1]), composite end point (rate difference per 1000 person-years, 21.3 [95% CI, 16.4-26.2]), and total cost (mean difference, $890 [95% CI, $652-$1127]), with greater differences among the beneficiaries with frailty. Use of warfarin relative to apixaban was associated with increased home time lost (risk difference per 100 persons, 3.2 [95% CI, 2.9-3.5]) and composite end point (rate difference per 1000 person-years, 29.4 [95% CI, 24.5-34.3]), with greater differences among the beneficiaries with frailty. Compared with apixaban, warfarin was associated with lower total cost (mean difference, -$1166 [95% CI, -$1396 to -$937]) but higher cost when excluding OAC cost (mean difference, $1409 [95% CI, $1177 to $1642]) regardless of frailty levels. Conclusions and Relevance In older adults with AF, apixaban was associated with increased home time and lower rates of clinical events than rivaroxaban and warfarin, especially for those with frailty. Apixaban was associated with lower total cost compared with rivaroxaban but higher cost compared with warfarin due to higher OAC cost. These findings suggest that apixaban may be preferred for older adults with AF, particularly those with frailty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kueiyu Joshua Lin
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Daniel E. Singer
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Darae Ko
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Robert Glynn
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mehdi Najafzadeh
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Su Been Lee
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lily Gui Bessette
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Alexander Cervone
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Elyse DiCesare
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Dae Hyun Kim
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of Gerontology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Tsao CW, Aday AW, Almarzooq ZI, Anderson CAM, Arora P, Avery CL, Baker-Smith CM, Beaton AZ, Boehme AK, Buxton AE, Commodore-Mensah Y, Elkind MSV, Evenson KR, Eze-Nliam C, Fugar S, Generoso G, Heard DG, Hiremath S, Ho JE, Kalani R, Kazi DS, Ko D, Levine DA, Liu J, Ma J, Magnani JW, Michos ED, Mussolino ME, Navaneethan SD, Parikh NI, Poudel R, Rezk-Hanna M, Roth GA, Shah NS, St-Onge MP, Thacker EL, Virani SS, Voeks JH, Wang NY, Wong ND, Wong SS, Yaffe K, Martin SS. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2023 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association. Circulation 2023; 147:e93-e621. [PMID: 36695182 DOI: 10.1161/cir.0000000000001123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1135] [Impact Index Per Article: 1135.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs). METHODS The American Heart Association, through its Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update with review of published literature through the year before writing. The 2023 Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort in 2022 by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and American Heart Association staff members. The American Heart Association strives to further understand and help heal health problems inflicted by structural racism, a public health crisis that can significantly damage physical and mental health and perpetuate disparities in access to health care, education, income, housing, and several other factors vital to healthy lives. This year's edition includes additional COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) publications, as well as data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, with an enhanced focus on health equity across several key domains. RESULTS Each of the chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics. CONCLUSIONS The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policymakers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.
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Hernandez I, He M, Guo J, Tadrous M, Gabriel N, Swabe G, Gellad WF, Essien UR, Saba S, Benjamin EJ, Magnani JW. COVID-19 pandemic and trends in new diagnosis of atrial fibrillation: A nationwide analysis of claims data. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281068. [PMID: 36730318 PMCID: PMC9894497 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a five-fold increased risk of stroke and a two-fold increased risk of death. We aimed to quantify changes in new diagnoses of AF following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Investigating changes in new diagnoses of AF is of relevance because delayed diagnosis interferes with timely treatment to prevent stroke, heart failure, and death. METHODS Using De-identified Optum's Clinformatics® Data Mart, we identified 19,500,401 beneficiaries continuously enrolled for 12 months in 2016-Q3 2020 with no history of AF. The primary outcome was new AF diagnoses per 30-day interval. Secondary outcomes included AF diagnosis in the inpatient setting, AF diagnosis in the outpatient setting, and ischemic stroke as initial manifestation of AF. We constructed seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average models to quantify changes in new AF diagnoses after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (3/11/2020, date of pandemic declaration). We tested whether changes in the new AF diagnoses differed by race and ethnicity. RESULTS The average age of study participants was 51.0±18.5 years, and 52% of the sample was female. During the study period, 2.7% of the study sample had newly-diagnosed AF. New AF diagnoses decreased by 35% (95% CI, 21%-48%) after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, from 1.14 per 1000 individuals (95% CI, 1.05-1.24) to 0.74 per 1000 (95% CI, 0.64 to 0.83, p-value<0.001). New AF diagnoses decreased by 37% (95% CI, 13%- 55%) in the outpatient setting and by 29% (95% CI, 14%-43%) in the inpatient setting. The decrease in new AF diagnoses was similar across racial and ethnic subgroups. CONCLUSION In a nationwide cohort of 19.5 million individuals, new diagnoses of AF decreased substantially following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings evidence pandemic disruptions in access to care for AF, which are concerning because delayed diagnosis interferes with timely treatment to prevent complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Hernandez
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, University of California, San Diego, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Meiqi He
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, University of California, San Diego, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Jingchuan Guo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, University of Florida College of Pharmacy, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Mina Tadrous
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Nico Gabriel
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, University of California, San Diego, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Gretchen Swabe
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Walid F. Gellad
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA and Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Utibe R. Essien
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA and Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Samir Saba
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Emelia J. Benjamin
- Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center and Boston University Department of Medicine, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, and Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jared W. Magnani
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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