FREQUENCY OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION IN PATIENTS OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE PRESENTING TO MAYO HOSPITAL, LAHORE

Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is frequently complicated by cardiovascular comorbidities. Objective: To determine the frequency of atrial fibrillation in patients with COPD presenting to Mayo Hospital, Lahore, and to assess its association with demographic and clinical variables. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of General Medicine and Pulmonology, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, from November 2024 to April 2025. A total of 130 patients aged 18–40 years with diagnosed COPD were enrolled through non-probability consecutive sampling. Patients with ischemic or valvular heart disease, electrolyte imbalance, or other identifiable causes of AF were excluded. Detailed demographic and clinical data were recorded, and a standard 12-lead ECG was performed to detect AF. Results: The mean age of participants was 34.8 ± 3.9 years, with 92 males (70.8%) and 38 females (29.2%). The mean BMI was 24.7 ± 3.1 kg/m², and the mean duration of COPD was 6.2 ± 2.7 years. Hypertension was present in 48 patients (36.9%) and diabetes mellitus in 34 (26.2%). Overall, AF was detected in 32 patients (24.6%), while 98 (75.4%) had normal sinus rhythm. AF was significantly more frequent in older patients (38.2% in 36–40 years vs. 14.3% in 18–25 years, p=0.03), in those with BMI ≥25 kg/m² (32.1% vs. 18.9%, p=0.04), and in patients with longer COPD duration (>10 years: 40.0% vs. ≤5 years: 15.5%, p<0.001). Gender was not significantly associated with AF (p=0.67). Conclusion: It is concluded that atrial fibrillation is a common finding in COPD patients, affecting nearly one-fourth of the study population. Older age, higher BMI, and longer disease duration were significantly associated with higher AF frequency, while gender was not.