Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. Anxiety
and depression may activate the autonomic nervous system which is likely to play an
important role in the etiology of AF. However, little is known about the association
between symptoms of anxiety and depression and risk of AF.This study aimed to assess
the association between symptoms of anxiety and depression and risk of AF.In a population-based
study, 37,402 adult residents were followed for incident AF from 2006 to 2008 until
2015. Participants were classified according to data on anxiety and depression symptoms.
Cox proportional regression models were used to adjust for common AF risk factors.During
a median follow-up of 8.1 years, 1433 (3.8%) participants developed AF. In comparisons
with no anxiety symptoms, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were 1.1
(95% CI: 0.9-1.5) for mild to moderate anxiety symptoms and 1.0 (95% CI: 0.8-1.4)
for severe anxiety symptoms. In comparisons with no depression symptoms, the multivariable-adjusted
HRs were 1.5 (95% CI: 1.2-1.8) for mild to moderate depression symptoms and 0.9 (95%
CI: 0.6-1.3) for severe depression symptoms. Recurrent anxiety/depression symptoms
were not associated with increased AF risk.In this large, population-based study,
we found no evidence of an association between symptoms of anxiety or severe depression
and AF risk, even for recurrent anxiety or depression symptoms. An unexpected association
of symptoms of mild to moderate depression with increased AF risk requires confirmation
in other studies. Our findings add to the sparse literature on symptoms of anxiety
and depression and risk of AF.
