Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42288744›Full record

ArticleBMC geriatrics2026

Recurrence or persistence of atrial fibrillation is associated with frailty and adverse outcomes: the SAGE-AF cohort study.

Bahjat Z Ghazzal, Darleen Lessard, Joseph Tejan, Edith M Otabil, Adam Doerr, Nouran Y Nagy, Daniel J Harrington, Matheus Montenario, Jane S Saczynski, David D McManus

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In one paragraph

Article in BMC geriatrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Bahjat Z GhazzalDepartment of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA. Bahjat.Ghazzal@umassmed.edu.
Darleen LessardDepartment of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
Joseph TejanDivision of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
Edith M OtabilUniversity of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, Biddeford, ME, USA.
Adam DoerrDivision of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester, MA, USA.
Nouran Y NagyDepartment of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA.
Daniel J HarringtonDepartment of Medicine, Saint Rita's Medical Center, Lima, OH, USA.
Matheus MontenarioDepartment of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA.
Jane S SaczynskiDepartment of Pharmacy and Health System Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
David D McManusDivision of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.

Funding

Systematic Assessment of Geriatric Elements in Atrial Fibrillation (SAGE-AF)R01HL126911 · NHLBI · UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER · PI MCMANUS, DAVID D., SACZYNSKI, JANE STEELE · 2016 to 2019
$3.2M
Smartwatch Monitoring for Atrial Fibrillation After StrokeR01HL137734 · NHLBI · UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER · PI CHON, KI H, MCMANUS, DAVID D. · 2018 to 2021
$3.1M
NHLBI NIH HHS R01 HL126911NHLBI NIH HHS R01HL126911NHLBI NIH HHS R01 HL137734NIH /HHS /NHLBI National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute R01-HL13660NIH /HHS /NHLBI National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute R01-HL137794NIH /HHS /NHLBI National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute R01-HL141434
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent arrhythmia in older adults. While traditional risk factors are well-established, the role of frailty, a marker of biological aging, in the course of AF over time remains underexplored.

methodsWe utilized data from 854 older adults (≥ 65 years) with AF and a CHA

resultsWe included 773 older adults in our analysis (mean age 76 ± 7, 52% male, 92% white). AF recurrence or persistence was detected on ECG in 379 (49%) of participants at two-year follow-up. Baseline frailty or pre-frailty was significantly associated with higher odds of AF recurrence or persistence (aOR 1.52, 95%CI 1.03-2.25). Participants with recurrent or persistent AF had a higher incidence of major bleeding events, even after adjustment for anticoagulation, age, and other cardiovascular risk factors (aHR 1.87, 95%CI 1.01-3.45).

conclusionFrailty or pre-frailty increases odds of AF recurrence or persistence at two years, underscoring the potential role of biological aging in influencing the course of AF over time. AF recurrence or persistence was associated with greater hazards of major bleeding, even after adjustment for key clinical factors, suggesting residual risk not captured by measured covariates.

Indexed as

Atrial FibrillationFrail ElderlyFrailtyGeriatric AssessmentAgedAged, 80 and overCohort StudiesElectrocardiographyFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansMaleProspective StudiesRecurrenceRisk FactorsAtrial FibrillationFrailtyMajor BleedingPersistenceRecurrence

Identifiers

PMID42288744
PMCPMC13487934

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.