Atrial fibrillation in adult cardiac patients undergoing follow-up at Adama Hospital Medical College: using a log-binomial regression model

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent arrhythmia, that is frequently associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Studies on atrial fibrillation among patients with cardiovascular disease in Ethiopia are currently scarce. Therefore, understanding the prevalence and associated risk factors for AF is crucial for guiding appropriate management and preventive strategies. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1 to December 30, 2023. A simple random sampling method was used to select the study participants. A structured checklist was used to collect the data. The study applied a log-binomial regression model to assess the associations between atrial fibrillation and independent variables, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and relative risks (RRs). All analyses were performed using STATA (version 17) software. Results A total of 312 participants were included in this study. Overall, the prevalence of atrial fibrillation was 19.6% (95% CI: 15.2–24.0). The majority had longstanding AF (80.3%), followed by persistent AF (16.4%) and paroxysmal AF (3.2%). According the adjusted model, history of valvular heart disease (RR: 3.05; 95% CI: 2.13–4.374), stroke (RR: 3.28; 95% CI: 2.65–4.09), khat chewing (RR: 4.35; 95% CI: 2.70–7.024), CKD (RR: 2.74; 95% CI: 2.20–3.40), cardiomyopathy (RR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.02–3.89), and IHD (RR: 0.20; 95% CI: 0.07–0.56) were significantly associated with atrial fibrillation among adult cardiac patients. Conclusion Overall, the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) was 19.6% among cardiac patients in this study. Valvular heart disease (VHD), a history of stroke, and khat chewing were independently associated with AF in this study population. These findings emphasize the multifactorial nature of AF and provide valuable insights into potential risk factors for cardiac patients.