NSAIDs Use in Older Adults May Up Afib Risk

The use of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may cause an increased risk of atrial fibrillation in older adults, according to a new study.

Researchers monitored the heart health of 8423 participants without atrial fibrillation at baseline in the Rotterdam Study. At baseline, the mean age of the population was 68.5 years and 58% were women.
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Cases of atrial fibrillation were diagnosed using heart tracer recordings (ECGs) and the use of NSAIDs was monitored through automated prescription records from participating pharmacies. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to study the association between NSAID drug use and atrial fibrillation.

During a mean follow-up of 12.9 years, 857 participants developed atrial fibrillation—261 never used NSAIDs when they were diagnosed, 554 never used NSAIDs in the past, and 42 were currently taking the drug.      

Researchers concluded that current use of NSAIDs was associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.88) as compared to individuals who never used the drugs. Furthermore, recent use (within 30 days after discontinuation of NSAIDs) was also associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation compared with never-use (HR 1.84, 95% CI 1.34 to 2.51).

The authors noted that NSAIDs could cause fluctuations in serum potassium, which may contribute to the increase in risk of atrial fibrillation.

Reference:

Krijthe B, Heeringa J, Hofman A, et al. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the risk of atrial fibrillation: a population-based follow-up study. BMJ Open. 2014;4:e004059.