Incidence, clinical features and outcomes of atrial fibrillation and stroke in Qatar

Background Atrial fibrillation is an important risk factor for stroke but there are limited data on atrial fibrillation-related stroke from the Middle East. Methods We interrogated the Qatar Stroke Database to establish the occurrence, clinical features, and outcomes of atrial fibrillation-related stroke at Hamad General Hospital, the sole provider of acute stroke care in Qatar. Results A total of 4079 patients (81.4% male, mean age 55.4 ± 13.3 years) were enrolled in the stroke database between January 2014 and 21 October 2017. Atrial fibrillation was present in 260 (6.4%) patients, of whom 106 (2.6%) had newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was significantly higher (7.9 + 7.0 (median 6; IQR 11) vs. 5.9 + 6.4 (median 4; IQR 6), P < 0.001) in atrial fibrillation patients. The modified Rankin Score (mRS) (P < 0.001) and mortality at 90-day follow-up (P = 0.002) were significantly higher in atrial fibrillation compared to non-atrial fibrillation stroke patients. Conclusion We demonstrate a low rate of atrial fibrillation and stroke in Qatar, perhaps reflecting the relatively young age of these patients. Atrial fibrillation-related strokes had higher admission NIHSS, greater disability, and higher mortality at 90 days when compared to non-atrial fibrillation strokes.