According to a new study, published in JAMA Network Open, depression is linked with a significant increase in the cumulative incidence of, as well as the risk for, atrial fibrillation (AF).

A cohort study of 5,031,222 adults noted that the cumulative incidence of new-onset AF increased two-fold among people with depression compared to those without (4.37 and 1.86 per 1000 person-years, respectively). According to an adjusted analysis also, depression was tied to a 25% higher risk for new-onset AF.  

Investigators searched the Korean National Health Insurance Service database to look for individuals who underwent a nationwide health checkup in 2009. Investigators excluded individuals who were less than 20 years of age or had a history of heart valve surgery, had a prior diagnosis of mitral stenosis, or had been diagnosed with AF between January 2002 and December 2008. The risk for new-onset AF was compared in individuals who were and were not diagnosed with depression within a year of the checkup in 2009.

Investigators stated that appropriate screening for AF is required in people having depression, adding that this is especially important in the younger individuals and women… (Medscape)