Frequency of Hyperthyroidism in Patients Diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation

Hyperthyroidism in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

The global prevalence of hyperthyroidism in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) ranges between 10% and 20%, with lower and higher rates in developed countries to regions with iodine deficiency and health care settings with limited resources, respectively. Demographic variations, such as age, the severity of hyperthyroidism, or differences in AF detection methods, may lead to additional disparities. Hence, the study was planned to help clarify these variations and facilitate more accurate global comparisons. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of hyperthyroidism in patients diagnosed with AF. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Department of Cardiology, from July 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. 119 male and female participants in the age range of 30 to 60 years diagnosed with atrial fibrillation were enrolled. The patients were analyzed for hyperthyroidism. Serum TSH levels of blood test <0.1 mU/L and FT₄ >1.5 ng/dL by laboratory were considered confirmatory for hyperthyroidism. Results: The Mean age of participants was 41.84 ± 8.376 years. Male participants were 79 (66.4%). Hyperthyroidism was found in 35 patients (29.4%). The p-value for the association between hyperthyroidism and hypertension was statistically significant (p-value=0.025). Conclusions: Our study revealed a higher frequency of hyperthyroidism-induced AF when compared to global reports. Iodine disorder, delayed diagnosis, multiple medical conditions, and economic inadequacies could be the underlying reasons. Female patients with atrial fibrillation, aged more than 45 years, with a history of hypertension, were more likely to have hyperthyroidism.