Killian, Jill

Background: Contemporary data on trends in survival after incident atrial fibrillation (AF) are limited. Methods: Residents of a 27-county area in southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin with new-onset atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter between 2013 and 2023 were identified. An electronic algorithm requiring 1 inpatient code or 2 outpatient codes separated by >7 days but within 1 year was used to define AF. Patients were followed for all-cause mortality through March 31, 2025. Standardized mortality ratios of observed versus expected survival were calculated, and time trends in survival were examined using Cox regression adjusting for demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, comorbid conditions, and area-level measures of socioeconomic status and rurality. Results: There were 44,930 individuals identified with incident AF from 2013-2023 (56.4% male; mean (SD) age 72.8 (13.5) years; 95.8% were non-Hispanic white). Within the first 90 days, the risk of all-cause mortality was greatly elevated compared with individuals of a similar age and sex distribution in the general population (standardized mortality ratios 12.6, 95% CI, 12.1-13.0 and 3.8, 95% CI, 3.6-4.0 for the first 30 days and 31 to 90 days after diagnosis, respectively). This excess risk was observed for all age groups but was greatest in the youngest age group (standardized mortality ratios among 18-64 year olds for the first 30 days: 49.9, 95% CI, 44.6-55.7 and 31 to 90 days: 11.1, 95% CI: 9.4-13.1; Figure ). In the youngest age group, the excess risk persists through 5 years post AF, however, in the oldest age group the excess risk only persisted through 1 year. Survival within the first 90 days improved over the study period (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.88; 95% CI, 0.79-0.99 for 2023 vs 2013); likewise, among 90-day survivors, survival improved between 2013 and 2023 (aHR,0.82; 95% CI, 0.76-0.88). These trends were driven by improvements in the younger age groups, particularly for death among 90-day survivors (aHR for 18-64 years, 0.66, 95% CI, 0.52-0.83; 65-74 years: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.65-0.90; 75-84 years, 0.84, 95% CI: 0.75-0.95; 85+ years, 0.99, 95% CI: 0.98-1.01). Conclusion: In a Midwestern community, the excess risk of death is high within the first 90 days after incident AF. Furthermore, survival after AF has improved between 2013 and 2023, with the improvement greatest in younger age groups.

Abstract: Background: Botanicals are increasingly incorporated into skincare products. Although allergic contact dermatitis due to botanicals is recognized, data describing the prevalence of positive patch tests to botanicals are sparse. Objective: To report the Mayo Clinic experience of patch testing to selected botanical products in the standard, extended standard, fragrance, and plant series. Methods: IRB-approved retrospective study of the Mayo Clinic experience with patch testing to botanicals from 1997 to 2017. Results: In total, 12,169 people were patch tested to botanicals in the standard, extended standard, fragrance, and plant series; 4032 were men and 8137 were women. The mean age of the population tested was 54 (standard deviation 17.7) years. Almost 11% (1320/12,169) of the patch-tested population exhibited positive reactions to at least 1 botanical agent. Myroxylon pereirae resin 25% was the most common positive allergen in the series. Patients who had positive reactions to at least 1 botanical agent were more (19.8%) likely to have a positive reaction to at least 1 additional botanical than those patients who did not have any positive tests. Most patients presented with generalized involvement (334) or involvement of the hands (284) or face (232). Conclusion: Physicians should be aware of the high prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis and patch test positivity associated with botanical products.