Atrial fibrillation among patients under investigation for suspected obstructive sleep apnea.

Study Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea is common among patients with atrial fibrillation, but the prevalence and risk factors for atrial fibrillation among patients who are being investigated on suspicion of sleep apnea are not well known. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of atrial fibrillation among patients investigated for suspected obstructive sleep apnea and to identify risk factors for atrial fibrillation among them.

Methods: The prevalence of atrial fibrillation was investigated among 201 patients referred for suspected obstructive sleep apnea.

[Identification of paroxysmal, transient arrhythmias: Intermittent registration more efficient than the 24-hour Holter monitoring].

Many patients suffer from palpitations or dizziness/presyncope. These patients are often referred for Holter ECG (24 hour), although the sensitivity for detecting arrhythmias is low. A new method, short intermittent regular and symptomatic ECG registrations at home, might be a convenient and more sensitive alternative also suitable for primary health care.

Intermittent short ECG recording is more effective than 24-hour Holter ECG in detection of arrhythmias.

Background: Many patients report symptoms of palpitations or dizziness/presyncope. These patients are often referred for 24-hour Holter ECG, although the sensitivity for detecting relevant arrhythmias is comparatively low. Intermittent short ECG recording over a longer time period might be a convenient and more sensitive alternative.

Screening for atrial fibrillation with baseline and intermittent ECG recording in an out-of-hospital population.

Background: the objective of this study is to investigate the detection rate of undiagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF) with short intermittent ECG recordings during four weeks among out-of-hospital patients, having at least one additional risk factor (CHADS2) for stroke.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Eight family practice centres and two hospital-based out-patient clinics in Sweden.

Sense of coherence in three cross-sectional studies in Northern Sweden 1994, 1999 and 2004 -- patterns among men and women.

Aims: To explore changes in sense of coherence (SOC) over a 10-year period in the general population in northern Sweden.

Methods: Three cross-sectional surveys from 1994 (n=1802), 1999 (n=1698) and 2004 (n=1777), conducted within the northern Sweden MONICA Project, were compared. Participants answered questions about gender, age, experience of disease, perceived health, psychosocial factors and Antonovsky's SOC scale with 13 items.