Cancer incidence and mortality among patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation: A population-based matched cohort study
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: • Temporal associations between new-onset AF and cancer were examined. • New-onset AF is associated with an increased short-term cancer risk. • New-onset AF with possible cancer symptoms should raise cancer suspicion. • No evidence for an association between AF and cancer risk in the longer term. • Mendelian randomisation indicated no shared (AF-cancer) genetic predisposition. Understanding the risk of cancer after the diagnosis of another condition can present opportunities for earlier diagnosis. We examined the risk of cancer diagnosis conditional on prior diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF). Linked electronic health records were used to identify patients aged ≥18 with new-onset AF and age-sex-matched controls. Cumulative incidence of and mortality from cancer (overall and cancer-site specific) within three months, three months to five years and beyond five years from diagnosis of AF were examined. Findings were further validated using Mendelian randomisation (MR). The cohort included 117,173 patients with new-onset AF and 117,173 matched controls (median age 78). In the first three months, 2.2% of AF patients were diagnosed with cancer vs. 0.47% in controls (relative risk: 4.7 [95%CI 4.2-5.4] in men and 4.4 [95%CI 3.8-5.0] in women). Nearly 80% of cancers related to thoracic or abdominal organs. Differences in cumulative incidence were only evident in women between three months and five years (subdistribution hazard ratio=1.1 [95%CI 1.01-1.12]) and absent in all patients beyond five years. MR analysis did not support the presence of a causal association between AF and major cancer subtypes. There is a large short-term increase in cancer incidence and mortality following new-onset AF. The findings may reflect incidental identification of AF or paraneoplastic manifestation. New-onset AF confers high short-term risk of cancer diagnosis, at levels comparable with symptomatic risk threshold mandating urgent assessment for suspected cancer.
Source: Neoplasia
Institutions: Cancer Research UK, University College London, University of Birmingham, Utrecht University, University Medical Center Utrecht, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool John Moores University, Aalborg University, St Bartholomew's Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,610
Funders: Oregon Health and Science University, Health and Care Research Wales, Scottish Government, UK Research and Innovation, Cancer Research UK, National Institute for Health and Care Research, British Heart Foundation, University College London, Public Health Agency, Chief Scientist Office, Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Medical Research Council, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council, Health and Social Care Research and Development Division
OpenAlex ID: W4404127804