Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently have multiple comorbidities that increase the risk of hospitalisation and contribute to higher mortality. However, studies examining the prevalence of comorbidities among Middle Eastern patients with AF and their impact on clinical outcomes are scarce. This study aimed to assess the impact of comorbidities in a Middle Eastern population with AF treated with contemporary anticoagulation.

Prospective observational cohort study.

Patients from 20 hospitals and 30 outpatient cardiology clinics across Jordan were enrolled from May 2019 through October 2020.

2020 consecutive patients were enrolled. 117 of them were lost to follow-up, and 1903 had available data for analysis. Of the total, 1096 (54.3%) patients were women, and 924 (45.7%) were men. Eligible patients were 18 years of age or above, had a confirmed AF diagnosis and provided informed consent.

We are examining the outcomes of patients with AF, comparing those who have multimorbidities versus oligomorbidities. The primary outcomes were AF-related complications occurring within 1-year follow-up: major bleeding, non-major bleeding, stroke/cerebrovascular accidents, systemic emboli and acute coronary syndrome. Secondary outcomes included causes of death among deceased patients.

Among the cohort, 1160 (57.4%) had two or less comorbidities (oligomorbidity group) and 860 (42.6%) had three or more comorbidities (multimorbidity group). Compared with the oligomorbidity group, the multimorbidity group had significantly higher rates of hypertension (97.9% vs 57.2%), diabetes mellitus type II (92.4% vs 7.3%), cardiovascular disease (100% vs 79.6%), chronic kidney disease (18.4% vs 1.8%) and chronic lung disease (7% vs 1%, p

Middle Eastern patients with AF appear to exhibit a high burden of comorbidities. The results suggest the more comorbidities in these patients, the higher the rates of hospitalisation and death.

NCT03917992.

This study aims to assess the level of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and its associated determinants among hypertensive patients in Jigjiga, Somali Region, Ethiopia using the WHO 10-year CVD risk score.

An institution-based cross-sectional study design was employed.

Hypertensive patients aged 40–74 years in two public hospitals in Jigjiga, Somali Region, Ethiopia, from 20 December 2023 to 20 February 2024.

Randomly selected 344 hypertensive patients aged 40–74 years with a duration of 1 year or more from the time of diagnosis and at least having 6-month follow-up.

10-year CVD risk level was assessed by using WHO 10-year CVD risk score. Risk levels were categorised as low (

Associated factors influencing CVD risk.

The study included 341 hypertensive individuals, with a 99.1% response rate. Of the respondents, 58.9% were men. The overall prevalence of CVD risk within the coming 10 years was 134 (39.3%; 95% CI: 34.1% to 44.5%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified age, khat chewing, smoking and comorbid conditions as significant independent predictors of CVD risk. Specifically, individuals aged 60–69 years had an adjusted OR (AOR) of 3.97 (95% CI: 1.94 to 8.16) and those aged 70–74 years had an AOR of 2.99 (95% CI: 1.57 to 5.71). Khat chewers had an AOR of 2.58 (95% CI: 1.22 to 5.46), smokers an AOR of 3.44 (95% CI: 1.59 to 7.48) and individuals with comorbidities an AOR of 2.42 (95% CI: 1.47 to 3.99).

There is a significant increase in 10-year CVD risk among hypertensive patients in the study area. Age, khat chewing, smoking and comorbidities were independent predictors. Regular CVD risk screening for older patients, focused health education to reduce khat and tobacco use and integrated management of comorbidities are essential to lower future cardiovascular risk.