Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation in Postmenopausal Women with Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer (EC) has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including atrial fibrillation (AF). We performed a prospective, case-controlled analysis among 310 Bulgarian women with new-onset, histologically confirmed EC, free of AF at the baseline survey, and women with normal (senile) endometrium/endometrial hyperplasia as a control group (n = 205). The risk of AF as well as relationship of adiponectin (APN) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels with AF in women with EC were calculated by Cox proportional hazards models. During the mean follow-up of 2.5 +/- 0.5 years, new-onset AF had occurred in 11.7% of women with EC vs. 5.8% in the control group (p < 0.01). The risk of AF was highest in the first 6 months after new-onset EC, with an incidence rate ratio (IRR) of 1.19 (95% CI 1.10-1.29; p = 0.01). Women with EC, who were obese (body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m(2)) and younger (age < 60) were found to be more likely to develop AF (HR 1.95; 95% CI 1.18-3.32; p = 0.05). APN levels were not significantly associated with new-onset AF (95% CI 0.87-1.21; p = 0.063). However, the secondary analysis showed evidence of APN-AF association when adjusted for BMI (2.05; 95% CI 1.04-4.04; p = 0.037). We conclude that EC was significantly associated with the incidence of AF.

Automated summary

Endometrial cancer (EC) is significantly associated with an increased incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). Women with EC who are obese and younger are more likely to develop AF. Adiponectin (APN) levels may be associated with new-onset AF, especially when adjusted for BMI.