Atrial fibrillation: Improvement in identification and stroke preventive therapy —Data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink, 2000–2012

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate recent trends in the diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation.MethodsTime trend analysis in the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD —previously the GPRD), 2000–2012.ResultsThe incidence of AF in men rose from 1.274 (1.271, 1.276) per 1 000 patient years in 2000 to 1.972 (1.969, 1.975) in 2012. In women, it rose from 1.209 (1.207, 1.211) to 1.609 (1.606, 1.611).55847 patients with AF first diagnosed between 2000 and 2012 were included in the study. 54% of men were initiated on anticoagulation therapy in the first year following diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, compared to 45% of women (P