Blood pressure status affects atrial fibrillation in diabetic end-stage renal disease

by Kyung-Do Han, YouMi Hwang, Sang Hyun Park

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasing as the elderly population continues to increase. Chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and hypertension are known risk factors for AF. Since multimorbidity exists in chronic kidney disease, it is difficult to determine the impact of hypertension alone. Furthermore, little is known about the impact of hypertension on predicting AF in diabetic end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Here, we evaluated the effect of differential blood pressure control on AF prevalence among the diabetic ESRD population.

From the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, 2 717 072 individuals with diabetes underwent health examinations during 2005–2019. Exactly 13 859 individuals with diabetic ESRD without a prior history of AF were selected and included in the analysis. Based on blood pressure level and previous hypertension medication history, we subdivided them into five groups: normal (normotensive), pre-hypertension, new onset hypertension, controlled hypertension, and uncontrolled hypertension. AF risk according to the blood pressure groups was estimated using Cox proportional-hazards models.

Among the five groups, the new onset hypertension, controlled hypertension, and uncontrolled hypertension groups showed a higher AF risk. In patients on antihypertensives, diastolic blood pressure ≥100 mmHg was significantly associated with AF risk. High pulse pressure showed a significant risk for AF in patients on antihypertensives.

In patients with diabetic ESRD, overt hypertension and a history of hypertension impacts AF. AF risk was higher in the ESRD population with diastolic blood pressure ≥100 mmHg and pulse pressure >60 mmHg.