Lifestyle is associated with atrial fibrillation development in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

We evaluated the impacts of lifestyle behaviors, namely smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity, on the development of new-onset AF in patients with DM. Using the Korean Nationwide database, we identified subjects diagnosed with type 2 DM and without previous history of AF between 2009 and 2012. Self-reported lifestyle behaviors were analyzed. Among 2,551,036 included subjects, AF was newly diagnosed in 73,988 patients (median follow-up 7.1 years). Both ex-smokers (hazard ratio [HR] 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.07) and current smokers (HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03-1.08) demonstrated a higher risk of AF than never smokers. Patients with moderate (15-29 g/day) (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.09-1.15) and heavy (>= 30 g/day) (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.21-1.28) alcohol consumption exhibited an increased risk of AF, while subjects with mild alcohol consumption (<15 g/day) (HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.99-1.03) had an AF risk similar to that of non-drinkers. Patients who engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity showed a lower risk of AF (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.91-0.94) than those who did not. This study suggests that smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity are associated with new-onset AF in patients with DM, and lifestyle management might reduce the risk of AF in this population.

Automated summary

The study found that smoking and alcohol consumption were associated with an increased risk of new-onset AF in patients with DM, while moderate-to-vigorous physical activity reduced the risk of AF. Lifestyle management could potentially help decrease the risk of AF in this population.