The AFFIRMO consortium announces the publication of its latest research paper, titled "Comorbidity patterns and the risk of injurious falls in older people with atrial fibrillation: Findings from a Swedish nation-wide population-based study." This new study, published in the European Journal of Internal Medicine, investigates how specific combinations of chronic diseases impact fall risk in older adults with atrial fibrillation (AF).

About the study

Older adults with atrial fibrillation (AF) are particularly prone to falls due to the interplay between AF, its treatments, and coexisting chronic conditions. AF, the most common arrhythmia, significantly increases the risk of falls, particularly among older adults with coexisting chronic diseases. A newly published large-scale study, part of the AFFIRMO project funded by Horizon 2020, investigates these risks by analysing data from 203,042 Swedish adults aged 65 and older. The findings highlight how specific patterns of comorbidities influence the likelihood of falls, fractures, and head trauma, providing critical insights for improving patient care and safety. By identifying and categorizing these comorbidity patterns, the study supports the development of targeted preventive interventions to mitigate fall risks and enhance integrated care for this vulnerable population.

Key Findings

Seven distinct comorbidity patterns were identified, with complex and neuropsychiatric patterns showing the highest fall risks.

The risk of falls leading to fractures or head trauma increased significantly in individuals with complex patterns, characterized by multisystem disorders like anaemia, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes.

Neuropsychiatric conditions, including dementia and cerebrovascular diseases, also posed heightened risks, emphasizing the importance of early, tailored interventions.

These findings highlight the importance of recognising comorbidity patterns for fall-risk stratification. The study supports the development of personalised preventive measures, such as medication reviews, exercise, and balance training, to improve safety and outcomes for older adults with AF.

Authors
Caterina Trevisan, Cecilia Damiano, Lu Dai, Amaia Calderón-Larrañaga, Jonas W. Wastesson, Kristina Johnell, Cheïma Amrouch, Graziano Onder, Alessandra Marengoni, Riccardo Proietti, Gregory Y H Lip, Søren P Johnsen, Mirko Petrovic, Davide Liborio Vetrano, on behalf of the AFFIRMO Consortium.

For the full paper and further insights, visit the European Journal of Internal Medicine.