Short summary

The study is a register based cohort study, which investigates the economic consequences of the introduction of an Atrial Fibrillation clinic (AF clinic) at the University hospital of Odense. The study investigates outcomes for a group of patients, diagnosed with atrial fibrillation before and after the AF clinic was established. 

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Rationale

The literature indicates that a nurse-led AF clinic is cost-effective, improve patient management, and reduce hospitalisations and death. These results are not confirmed in a Danish context.Though little is known on the outcome of an outpatient clinic with a discipline oriented multidisciplinary approach, with physicians and nurses working parallel and with clear role definitions, specified tasks and hierarchical lines of authority, and when patients are diagnosed with AF for the first time. Studies of this particular patient population is not found in the searched literature. This study takes place in an outpatient clinic at a university hospital in Denmark. The AF clinic was established in February 2012 and before this, patients with AF were consulted in the ordinary outpatient clinic by a physician who was necessarily an AF specialist. Thus the setup depicts a situation of an operating outpatient clinic, which has been optimized during implementation. The objective of this study was to examine whether there has been a difference in resource use on secondary sector services due to the establishment of the AF clinic. Furthermore, to examine whether there is an effect on compliance as well as complications with ischaemic or hemorrhage stroke and death.

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Description of the cohort

Patients diagnosed at Odense University Hospital with AF at first time (action code: DI48.0, DI48.1, DI48.2, DI48.9) before AF-clinic was established, with a cohort of patients diagnosed with AF at first time after AF-clinic was established. The cohorts are formed by the Danish health data authority.

Data and biological material

The study will include register data from the central citizen register (CPR) and the national patient register (LPR). Data is gathered from the health data authorities.

Collaborating researchers and departments

Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital

• Lars Thrysoee
• Axel Brandes

Centre for Innovative Medical Technology (CIMT), Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark

• Kristian Kidholm
• Maja Kjær Rasmussen