Gender differences in atrial fibrillation risk factors, presentation, and management in Tabuk, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: There is a lack of data regarding gender differences in atrial fibrillation presentation and clinical characteristics in Saudi Arabia.  Objective: To assess gender differences in atrial fibrillation risk factors, presentation, and management strategy in Tabuk. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in King Fahad Specialist Hospital in Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia. The medical records of all patients with atrial fibrillation in the years 2016 and 2017 were approached using a structured questionnaire to collect demographic factors, atrial fibrillation risks including diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, valvular heart disease, respiratory diseases (Bronchial Asthma, chronic obstructive airways disease, and pulmonary fibrosis), cardiomyopathy, thyrotoxicosis, and congenital heart disease. The different types of atrial fibrillation, management strategy, and complications were also reported. IBM-SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis. The Chi-square test was applied to compare men and women. Results: There were 93 patients with atrial fibrillation (59.2% males), hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, thyrotoxicosis, congenital heart disease, and valvular heart disease was evident in 72%, 31.2%, 32.1%, 9.7%, 2.2%, 2.2%, and 10.7% respectively, while respiratory diseases, chronic atrial fibrillation, rate control strategy, and stroke were reported in 7.6%, 70.9%, 68.8%, and 16.1% of patients respectively.  Women were older and had more paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with significant statistical differences (p=0.010). No significant differences were evident regarding other characteristics. Conclusion: No significant differences were found between males and females except age and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, which were higher among women.