Gesundheitswesen 2017; 79(08/09): 656-804
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1605961
Poster
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Assocation between PR interval prolongation, atrial fibrillation and cognitive function: insights from the LIFE-Adult-Study

J Kornej
1   Herzzentrum Leipzig, Rhythmologie, Leipzig
2   Universität Leipzig, LIFE – Leipzig Research Center of Civilization Diseases, Leipzig
,
T Luck
3   Universität Leipzig, Institut für Sozialmedizin, Arbeitsmedizin und Public Health (ISAP), Leipzig
2   Universität Leipzig, LIFE – Leipzig Research Center of Civilization Diseases, Leipzig
,
S Zeynalova
4   Universität Leipzig, Institut für Medizinische Informatik, Statistik und Epidemiologie, Leipzig
2   Universität Leipzig, LIFE – Leipzig Research Center of Civilization Diseases, Leipzig
,
M Loeffler
4   Universität Leipzig, Institut für Medizinische Informatik, Statistik und Epidemiologie, Leipzig
2   Universität Leipzig, LIFE – Leipzig Research Center of Civilization Diseases, Leipzig
,
S Riedel-Heller
3   Universität Leipzig, Institut für Sozialmedizin, Arbeitsmedizin und Public Health (ISAP), Leipzig
2   Universität Leipzig, LIFE – Leipzig Research Center of Civilization Diseases, Leipzig
,
D Husser
1   Herzzentrum Leipzig, Rhythmologie, Leipzig
2   Universität Leipzig, LIFE – Leipzig Research Center of Civilization Diseases, Leipzig
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
01 September 2017 (online)

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Background:

PR prolongation (pPR, ≥200 ms) is associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). AF leads to macro- and microembolic embolization which may lead to cognitive dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between cognitive function and PR interval in individuals with normal (nPR) and pPR intervals and in AF patients.

Methods:

The LIFE-Adult-Study is a population-based cohort study, which has recently completed the baseline examination of 10.000 randomly selected participants from Leipzig. In this cross-sectional analysis, individuals ≥40 years with available ECG and cognitive function data (Verbal Fluency Test „Animals“, Trail-Making-Test/TMT A and B) were included. Individuals with atrio-ventricular conduction decelerating medication and psychotropic medication were excluded.

Results:

The study population comprised 4.017 individuals (59 ± 12 years, 49% males) with complete ECG and cognitive function data. There were 55 AF patients (1.4%) and 142 (3.5%) with pPR.

No difference was found in verbal fluency among individuals with nPR, pPR and AF (mean 24 ± 6 vs. 24 ± 7 vs. 21 ± 8, p = 0.131 respectively). However, compared to nPR, individuals with pPR and AF demonstrated worse performance (longer time needed) in the TMT-A (mean 35 ± 14 vs. 41 ± 18 vs. 44 ± 13 s, p < 0.001) and the TMT-B (85 ± 44 vs. 94 ± 46 vs. 107 ± 38 s, p < 0.001).

On univariable linear regression analyses, TMT-A (B = 5.346, 95%CI 2.841 – 7.850, p < 0.001) and TMT-B (B = 9.648, 95%CI 2.171 – 17.125, p = 0.011) were associated with pPR. However, after adjustment for age and gender, the results were not significant. Similar, TMT-A (B = 8.636, 95%CI 4.601 – 12.672, p < 0.001) and TMT-B (B = 23.821, 95%CI 11.192 – 36.450, p < 0.001) were associated with AF only in univariable analysis.

Conclusions:

There is no significant association of pPR and AF with cognitive function in healthy individuals. Further longitudinal studies are needed to analyze the impact of pPR and AF on cognitive function in the long-run.