Intravenous bisphosphonates and atrial fibrillation risk in cancer patients
Author Information
Author(s): Erichsen R, Christiansen C F, Frøslev T, Jacobsen J, Sørensen H T
Primary Institution: Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital
Hypothesis
Do intravenous bisphosphonates increase the risk of atrial fibrillation in cancer patients?
Conclusion
Intravenous bisphosphonates may increase AF/flutter risk in cancer patients.
Supporting Evidence
- 3981 cancer patients exposed to IV bisphosphonates were followed for a total of 22,642 years.
- 128 (3.2%) of exposed patients developed AF/flutter compared to 192 (2.4%) of non-exposed patients.
- The adjusted hazard ratio for AF/flutter in exposed patients was 1.7.
Takeaway
Cancer patients who receive a treatment called bisphosphonates might have a higher chance of getting a heart problem called atrial fibrillation.
Methodology
A nationwide population-based cohort study using Danish databases matched bisphosphonate-exposed cancer patients with non-exposed patients.
Potential Biases
Residual confounding may exist, and patients at higher risk of AF/flutter might be more likely to receive bisphosphonates.
Limitations
Potential misclassification of bisphosphonate exposure and lack of specific subtype or dose information.
Participant Demographics
Median age was 65 years, 61% were women, and 23% had distant metastasis at diagnosis.
Statistical Information
P-Value
1.7
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 1.2–2.4
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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