Aetiology and risk factors of atrial fibrillation among patients admitted in tertiary teaching hospital of Bengaluru

Abstract

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common and persistent cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice, with an overall prevalence in the world is estimated to be 0.47%, but there is significant regional variation and has various predisposing factors and causes.
Methodology: A descriptive study was undertaken in Tertiary teaching hospital Bengaluru. Study population was considered from in-patients of all the departments of the hospital. A pretested Semi structured questionnaire was administered on study subjects.
Results: Most of the study participants were aged above 60 years, with slight male 33(55%)
preponderance compared to female 27(45%). The most common underlying comorbidity was Rheumatic heart disease 26(43.3%) and among rheumatic heart disease, mitral stenosis was the most common valvular lesion observed i.e. 15 cases out of 26 cases. 29% of study participants with atrial fibrillation belonged to normal category in BMI range according to South East Asian region but 25% of them where in Obese 1 category. Underlying heart condition i.e. 60 (100%) and obesity 38 (61.3%) were most commonly seen Risk factors among study participants.
Conclusion: Atrial fibrillation is seen to increase in prevalence with advancing age.
No significant difference was found with respect to gender, the ratio of male: female is 55:45.
Rheumatic valvular heart disease was the most common etiology of atrial fibrillation observed in the present study. The number of patients with AF is predicted to rise steeply in the coming years hence early identification and management has to be done. Health education has to be given to population.