Healthcare utilization and costs associated with a diagnosis of incident atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder among adults and leads to substantial morbidity and mortality.

Objectives

The purpose of the study was to provide current estimates on the incremental healthcare utilization and cost burden associated with incident AF diagnosis in the United States.

Methods

Adults with an incident diagnosis of AF (2017–2020) were identified using the Optum Clinformatics database. Propensity matching was employed to match patients with incident AF to a comparator group of non-AF patients on several demographic and clinical characteristics. Outcomes including 12-month all-cause and cardiovascular (CV)-related healthcare utilization, as well as the medical cost associated with health services use, were assessed. Logistic and general linear models were used to examine study outcomes. Sub-analyses were performed to determine the incremental AF burden by specific sex and racial/ethnic categories.

Results

A total of 79,621 patients were identified in each cohort (AF and non-AF). As compared to the non-AF cohort, patients with AF had significantly higher all-cause inpatient visits (relative risk [RR] 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.76–1.78), CV-related inpatient visits (RR 2.51; 95% CI 2:49–2:53), and CV-related emergency room visits (RR: 2.41; 95% CI 2:35–2:47). The mean total healthcare cost for patients with AF was $27,896 more (per patient per year) than the non-AF cohort ($63,031 vs $35,135, P < .001).

Conclusion

Medical services utilization and cost were significantly higher among AF patients than non-AF patients. Early treatment is likely to be critical to addressing the considerable disease burden imposed by AF.