Proteinuria may help predict AF in elderly patients with diabetes: Study
Assessing proteinuria by a simple urine dipstick test is a useful adjunct to risk assessment for atrial fibrillation (AF) in the elderly population with Diabetes Mellitus (DM), suggests a study published in the Scientific Reports.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered an independent risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF). The excess risk in relation to the presence of proteinuria has not been well elucidated.
A study was conducted by a group of researchers from Korea to determine the association between the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and proteinuria in diabetic population.
A total of 240,499 individuals aged ≥ 60 years from the Korea National Health Insurance Service-Senior cohort from 2004 to 2014 were included. 4.2% of individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) and 3.7% of controls were diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) during a median follow-up period of 7.2 years. Amongst controls (participants without proteinuria and diabetes mellitus), diabetes mellitus (DM) only, proteinuria only, and diabetes mellitus (DM) with proteinuria groups, the crude incidences of atrial fibrillation (AF) were 0.58, 0.70, 0.96, 1.24 per 100 person-years respectively.
The results of the study are as follows:
- Compared with controls, the weighted risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) was increased by 11%, 48%, and 66% in the diabetes mellitus (DM) only, proteinuria only, and diabetes mellitus (DM) with proteinuria groups, respectively.
- Degree of proteinuria in diabetic patients was associated with a significantly higher rate of incident atrial fibrillation (AF) in dose-dependent manner.
Thus, the researchers concluded that assessing proteinuria by a simple urine dipstick test could provide a useful adjunct to risk assessment for atrial fibrillation (AF) in elderly population with diabetes mellitus (DM).
Reference:
A study titled, "Association of proteinuria and incident atrial fibrillation in patients with diabetes mellitus: a population-based senior cohort study" by Kim J et. al published in the Scientific Reports.
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.