The Prevalence of Iron Deficiency in Atrial Fibrillation: Low Hanging Fruit?

Bachar Alabdullah; David Ferreira; Erin Bourke; Harish Kamalanathan; Ibrahim Elashri; Kushal Porwal; Michael J Tiller; Payal H Gadre; Sarah Jones; Michael McGee

doi:10.3390/medicina58101492

The Prevalence of Iron Deficiency in Atrial Fibrillation: Low Hanging Fruit?

Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Oct 19;58(10):1492. doi: 10.3390/medicina58101492.

Affiliations

¹ Cardiology Department, Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital, Dean Street, North Tamworth, NSW 2340, Australia.
² Cardiovascular Department, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia worldwide. The relationship between AF and iron deficiency is poorly understood. Materials and Methods: We conducted an observational study investigating the prevalence of iron deficiency in those with AF. Iron deficiency was defined by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) criteria for iron deficiency in heart failure. Results: Of 134 eligible subjects, 81 (60.4%) met the ACC definition of iron deficiency in heart failure. Those who were iron deficient were more likely to be female (OR 1.876, p = 0.005), have a history of diabetes mellitus (OR 3.085, p = 0.001) a history of stroke (OR 3.147, p = 0.016), and have higher CHA₂DS₂-VASc (p ≤ 0.0001) and Charlson Comorbidity Index scores (CCI) (p = 0.007). Conclusions: The prevalence of iron deficiency in those with AF appears high and warrants evaluation in a prospective study.

Keywords: atrial fibrillation; epidemiology; iron deficiency.

Publication types

Observational Study

MeSH terms

Atrial Fibrillation* / complications
Atrial Fibrillation* / epidemiology
Female
Heart Failure* / epidemiology
Humans
Iron
Iron Deficiencies*
Male
Prevalence
Prospective Studies
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
Stroke* / complications
Stroke* / epidemiology

Substances

Iron

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.