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https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2025.64.03.22

Differences in the Prevalence of Atrial Fibrillation in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis Patients: A Multicenter Study

Melanie-Ivana Čulo orcid.org/0000-0002-5174-1226 ; Department of Diabetology, Endocrinology and Clinical Immunology, Vuk Vrhovac University Clinic for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Merkur University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia *
Jadranka Morović-Vergles ; Division of Clinical Immunology, Allergology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Dubrava, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Tomo Svaguša ; Department of Cardiovascular disease, University Hospital Dubrava, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Frane Paić ; Department of Medical Biology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Lea Šalamon ; Division of Clinical Immunology, Allergology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Dubrava, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Daniela Marasović Krstulović ; Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Split, School of Medicine, University of Split, Croatia
Tatjana Kehler ; Department of Rheumatology, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation of Hearth and Lung Diseases and Rheumatism “Thalassotherapia-Opatija”, Opatija, Croatia
Branimir Anić ; Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Zagreb, School of Medicine Zagreb, University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Jasminka Milas-Ahić ; Department of Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology and Allergology, Internal Clinic, University Hospital Osijek, School of Medicine, Osijek, Croatia
Srđan Novak ; Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Center Rijeka, School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Croatia
Stjepan Gamulin ; 0Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Zagreb, Croatia

* Dopisni autor.

Sažetak

We conducted a cross-sectional, multicenter study on two groups of patients: one
with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the other with osteoarthritis (OA). Both diseases affect the joints,
cause disability and require chronic treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of
atrial fibrillation (AF) in these two diseases that primarily affect the joints, and whether chronic systemic
inflammation influences the prevalence of AF, along with other previously validated risk factors. Data
were collected at University Hospital Dubrava and collaborating rheumatology centers across Croatia.
This study included 627 patients with RA and 352 patients with OA. Demographic data, comorbidities
(including a previous diagnosis of AF), medication use and electrocardiograms were recorded for each
patient. We analyzed serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), sedimentation rate, glucose,
creatinine, lipid parameters and calculated the body mass index (BMI) and cardiovascular risk using the
Framingham Risk Score calculator.
In the analysis, we found no difference in the prevalence of AF between RA and OA patients (4.2%
vs. 4.3%, P > 0.999). Almost all the analyzed risk factors for AF were more prevalent in the OA group,
such as age, arterial hypertension, diabetes, history of cardiovascular diseases, signs and symptoms of
heart failure, metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, and use of diuretic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs, except tobacco usage, which was more prevalent in the RA group (P < 0.001). In addition,
RA patients had higher CRP levels, sedimentation rates and a longer disease duration (P < 0.001).
In conclusion, because the risk factors for AF were more prevalent in the OA group, but we found no
difference in the prevalence of AF between the groups, we assume that chronic systemic inflammation
likely contributes to the development of AF.

Ključne riječi

rheumatoid arthritis; atrial fibrillation; C-reactive protein; osteoarthritis

Hrčak ID:

342948

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/342948

Datum izdavanja:

30.9.2025.

Podaci na drugim jezicima: hrvatski

Posjeta: 425 *