Summary of cognitive function in SAFETY participants at baseline (in hospital)
| Total (n=260) | MCI (n=169) | No MCI (n=91) | p Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean age (years) | 72±11 | 74±10 | 68±12 | <0.001 |
| Aged <65 years (%) | 68 (26%) | 34 (20%) | 34 (37%) | <0.01 |
| Aged 65–74 years (%) | 79 (30%) | 50 (30%) | 29 (32%) | 0.70 |
| Aged ≥75 years (%) | 113 (44%) | 85 (50%) | 28 (31%) | <0.01 |
| Male sex (%) | 137 (53%) | 89 (53%) | 48 (53%) | 0.99 |
| Mean CHA2DS2-VASc score (±SD) | 4±2 | 4±2 | 3±2 | <0.001 |
| Education < secondary school* | 80 (31%) | 65 (39%) | 15 (17%) | <0.001 |
| Mean MoCA score (±SD) | 23±4 | 21±3 | 27±1 | <0.001 |
| AF subtype | ||||
| Paroxysmal (%) | 10 (4%) | 6 (4%) | 4 (4%) | 0.74 |
| Persistent (%) | 224 (86%) | 147 (87%) | 77 (85%) | 0.60 |
| Permanent (%) | 26 (10%) | 16 (10%) | 10 (11%) | 0.70 |
| Comorbidities | ||||
| Hypertension (%) | 188 (72%) | 128 (76%) | 60 (66%) | 0.09 |
| CAD (%) | 84 (32%) | 61 (36%) | 23 (25%) | 0.08 |
| Type 2 diabetes (%) | 67 (26%) | 50 (30%) | 17 (19%) | 0.06 |
| Stroke/SE/TIA (%) | 41 (16%) | 31 (18%) | 10 (11%) | 0.12 |
| Vascular disease (%) | 15 (6%) | 13 (8%) | 2 (2%) | 0.07 |
| Excessive alcohol intake (%)^ | 43 (17%) | 29 (18%) | 14 (16%) | 0.73 |
| CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥3 (%)† | 185 (71%) | 130 (77%) | 55 (60%) | <0.01 |
| Prescribed therapies | ||||
| Anticoagulant (%) | 141 (54%) | 91 (54%) | 50 (55%) | 0.87 |
| Clopidogrel+aspirin (%) | 46 (18%) | 33 (20%) | 13 (14%) | 0.29 |
| Aspirin only (%) | 126 (49%) | 87 (52%) | 39 (43%) | 0.19 |
| Digoxin (%) | 92 (35%) | 69 (41%) | 23 (25%) | 0.01 |
| β-Blocker (%) | 130 (50%) | 87 (52%) | 43 (47%) | 0.52 |
| Anti-arrhythmic (%) | 69 (27%) | 41 (24%) | 28 (31%) | 0.26 |
For the current research, the CHA2DS2-VASc score is scored from 0 to 8 (not 0 to 9 as is the norm) due to the exclusion of patients with chronic heart failure.
*Assessed in n=257; ^More than two standard drinks on any occasion. Assessed in n=250 patients.
†CHA2DS2-VASc score definition: C, congestive heart failure/left ventricular dysfunction (one point); H, hypertension (even if treated; one point); A2, age >75 years (two points); D, diabetes mellitus (one point); S2, stroke/SE/TIA (two points); V, vascular disease (one point); A, age 65–74 years (one point); Sc, sex category (female sex; one point).
AF, atrial fibrillation; CAD, coronary artery disease; MCI, mild cognitive impairment; MoCA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment; SAFETY, Standard versus Atrial Fibrillation spEcific managmenT studY; SE, systemic embolism; TIA, transient ischaemic attack.