title: Atrial fibrillation and antithrombotic therapy in a 75-year-old population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To find the true prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF) in a population aged 75 years in 2 municipalities in Norway, and to study the use of antithrombotic therapy in this group.
  
  
  METHODS
  All 1,117 citizens in Asker and Baerum municipalities in eastern Norway born in 1930 were invited to participate in a prevalence study of AF. Nine hundred and sixteen subjects (82%) were examined by electrocardiogram, and blood pressure and pulse rate were measured. Comorbidity and current medication were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AF was present in 92 subjects (10%; 95% CI 8.2-12.1%), including 33 with ECG-documented, paroxysmal AF. In addition, 8 subjects had a history of a single, transient episode of AF. AF was previously undiagnosed in 10 out of 916 (1.1%). In 77 of 82 patients with previously diagnosed AF (93.9%), antithrombotic therapy was compliant with international guidelines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ten percent (95% CI 8.2-12.2%) in this 75-year-old population had AF. Compliance with international guidelines regarding antithrombotic therapy was high. Previously undiagnosed AF was found in only 10 out of 916 (1.1%).
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Asker and Baerum Hospital, Rud, Norway. arnljot.tveit@broadpark.no
authors.forename: Arnljot
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tveit
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdelnoor
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Enger
authors.forename: Pal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents