title: [FATA Study: prevalence of atrial fibrillation and antithrombotic therapy in primary health care in a northern city of Portugal].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atrial fibrillation is the most prevalent sustained arrhythmia. The efficacy of oral anticoagulation has been proved in prevention stroke in these patients. However, this seems to be an underutilized treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  to determine the prevalence of known atrial fibrillation in a Primary Health Care population; to identify major comorbidities, current antithrombotic therapy and evaluate their suitability according to the European Society of Cardiology guidelines.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational cross-sectional analytical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  all patients aged 30 or above, enrolled in eight Family Health Units of Vila Nova de Gaia and diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence of atrial fibrillation was 1.29% (n = 940), being higher in males (p = 0.01) and increasing with age (p < 0.001). The most common comorbidities were hypertension (76.4%), heart failure (32.0%) and diabetes mellitus (28.2%). A total of 52% was performing anticoagulant therapy, 29% antiplatelet agents and 4% both therapies. Of those with low thrombotic risk, 63.6% was wrongly performing some kind of antithrombotic therapy; among patients with high risk or valvular disease 56.8% was properly undergoing anticoagulant therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of atrial fibrillation as well as the frequency of the main comorbidities associated with it are in line with the majority of studies. Although most patients are undergoing oral anticoagulation, only 56.8% of those with atrial fibrillation was performing adequate antithrombotic therapy as recommended by the European Society of Cardiology guidelines, which denote a marked underutilization of this treatment.
authors: Unidade de Saúde Familiar Nova Via. ACeS Grande Porto VIII Espinho/Gaia. Vila Nova de Gaia. Portugal.
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Gomes
authors: Unidade de Saúde Familiar Nova Via. ACeS Grande Porto VIII Espinho/Gaia. Vila Nova de Gaia. Portugal.
authors: Rui
authors: R
authors: Campos
authors: Unidade de Saúde Familiar Nova Via. ACeS Grande Porto VIII Espinho/Gaia. Vila Nova de Gaia. Portugal.
authors: Renata
authors: R
authors: Morais
authors: Unidade de Saúde Familiar Nova Via. ACeS Grande Porto VIII Espinho/Gaia. Vila Nova de Gaia. Portugal.
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Fernandes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011174:Portugal; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014504:Urban Health; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents