Diabetes is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation
Diabetes is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation. In one longitudinal study researchers investigated the association between diabetes and atrial fibrillation, stratified by sex. These data are given in the table below.”
Table: Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation (AF) by diabetes status, stratified by sex Cases of AF Person years of followup per 1,000
| Males Diabetes | 37 | 2,336 |
| No diabetes | 355 | 26,454 |
| Females Diabetes | 65 | 3,896 |
| No diabetes | 334 | 37,120 |
| Total Diabetes | 102 | 6,232 |
| No diabetes | 689 | 63,574 |
- “Use the data in the table to assess the association between diabetes and atrial fibrillation, and then stratified by sex. (meaning the association in males and the association in female”
- “After using the statistical software, the authors found that the sex-adjusted relative risk (rate-ratio in this case) they found adjusted RR of 1.51. Is sex best characterised as a confounder or an effect modifier of the relationship between diabetes and atrial fibrillation? Explain.”
- “What is the Attributable risk fraction of diabetes among Males and how would you interpret the finding [4 marks]
- “What is the population attributable fraction of diabetes on the occurrence of atrial fibrillation that is potentially preventable, assuming a causal association between diabetes and Atrial Fibrilation.” explain in words your findings
