Author Interviews, Cost of Health Care, Heart Disease / 13.07.2015
Atrial Fibrillation Increase Leading To More Hospitalizations and Higher Costs
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Azfar B. Sheikh, M.D.
Internal Medicine Resident Physician
Staten Island University Hospital
New York
Medical Research: What is the background for this study?
Dr. Sheikh: The background of this review article circles around the impact of
atrial fibrillation on epidemiology, trends in hospitalizations, costs
associated with hospitalization and outpatient care, in the United
States. This article also describes the benefits of newer treatment
modalities compared to the standard of care with regards to
symptomatic improvement and prevention of thromboembolism. These
findings are supported by several cost-utility analyses.
Medical Research: What are the main findings?
Dr. Sheikh: The main findings of the study are:
- The cost of hospitalization is three times higher for patients with atrial fibrillation than those without atrial fibrillation.
- 5 million new cases are being reported annually.
- The incidence of atrial fibrillation is projected to increase from 1.2 million cases in 2010 to 2.6 million cases by 2030. Due to this increase in incidence, the prevalence of atrial fibrillation is projected to increase from 5.2 million cases to 12.1 million cases by 2030.
- The most common co-moribidites associated with atrial fibrillation were hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic obstructive lung disease.
- According to the NIS database, the atrial fibrillation. hospitalization rate has increased from 1552 to 1812 per one million US residents per year from 2000 to 2010 (relative increase 14.4%).
- According to the NIS database, the mortality associated with atrial fibrillation hospitalizations has decreased significantly from 1.2% in 2000 to 0.9% in 2010 (relative decrease 29.2%).
- The median length of stay in the hospital is 3 days and increases proportionally with a rise in CHADS2 score.
- The largest source of direct healthcare costs associated with atrial fibrillation is hospitalization. According to the NIS database, the mean cost of inpatient atrial fibrillation hospitalization increased significantly from $6401 in 2001 to $8439 in 2010 (relative increase 24.0%). The mean cost of atrial fibrillation hospitalization also increases proportionally with a rise in CHADS2 score.
- In the outpatient setting, the highest costs were associated with physician office visits in comparison to emergency room and urgent care visits.
- With regards to prevention of thromboembolism, the new oral anticoagulant agents (dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban) have been found to be more cost-effective compared to warfarin.
- Left atrial catheter ablation is more effective than rate control and rhythm control. It is more cost-effective in younger patients who are moderate risk for stroke.