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Table 3 Level of evidence and strength of association of selected risk factors for new-onset atrial fibrillation in patients with sepsis

From: Incidence, risk factors and outcomes of new-onset atrial fibrillation in patients with sepsis: a systematic review

Risk factor category

Variables

Level of evidence a

Strength of association b

Univariable analysis

Multivariable analysis

Strength

References d

Strength

References d

Demographics

Increased age, per 10 years

n/a

[17],[20],[21],[24],[26]

M +

W +

[24],[25]

Male gender

M +

M +

M +

W +

[20],[21],[24],[26]

W +

No

[24],[25]

White race

S +

M +

M +

 

[21],[24],[26]

M +

M +

[24],[25]

Comorbidities

COPD

S +

M +

W +

W +

[20],[21],[24],[26]

W -

 

[25]

Diabetes mellitus

M -

W -

W +

 

[21],[24],[26]

W -

W -

[24],[25]

Obesity

W -

 

[24]

W +

 

[24]

Heart failure

M +

M +

 

[20],[24]

M +

No

[24],[25]

Hypertension

S +

W +

W -

 

[20],[21],[24]

W -

No

[24],[25]

Coronary artery disease

S +

M +

M +

 

[20],[21],[26]

  

Myocardial infarction

W +

 

[24]

  

Stroke

M +

M +

 

[21],[24]

M +

 

[24]

Renal disease

  

W -

 

[25]

Malignancy

W +

 

[24]

W +

 

[25]

Source of infection

Primary blood stream

W -

 

[24]

W +

 

[24]

Respiratory tract

M +

 

[24]

W +

W +

[24],[25]

Abdominal

M +

 

[24]

M +

 

[24]

Urinary tract

W -

 

[24]

W -

W -

[24],[25]

Skin or soft tissue

No

 

[24]

W +

W -

[24],[25]

Pathogen

Fungal

M +

 

[24]

M +

 

[24]

Gram-positive bacteria

W +

 

[24]

W +

 

[24]

Severity of disease

Organ failurec

S +

M +

n/a

n/a

[17],[24],[20],[21]

M +

M +

[24],[25]

Electrolyte abnormality

W +

 

[24]

  

Critical care interventions

Pulmonary artery catheter use

S +

S +

 

[17],[24]

M +

W +

[24],[25]

Mechanical ventilation

S +

 

[17]

W +

 

[24]

  1. aLevel of evidence: high (): risk factor reported in ≥2 references using multivariable analyses at a P value <0.05; Moderate (): risk factor reported in 1 reference using multivariable analysis at a P value <0.05 or ≥2 references using univariable analyses at a P value <0.05; low (): risk factor reported in 1 reference using univariable analysis at a P value <0.05; bstrength of association: Strong positive association (S+): OR >3; Moderate positive association (M+): OR = 1.5 to 3.0; Weak positive association (W+): OR <1.5; Strong negative association (S-): OR <0.4; Moderate negative association (M-): OR = 0.4 to 0.7; Weak negative association (W-): OR >0.7; No association (No): OR = 0.9-1.1 (based on [15]); cthis includes high APACHE II, APS or SOFA scores, or the presence of shock upon ICU admission; dthe references refer to the columns showing the strength of association. APACHE II: Acute Physiological and Chronic Health Evaluation II; APS: Acute Physiology Score; COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; ICU: intensive care unit; n/a: not available; OR: odds ratio; SOFA: Sequential Organ Failure Assessment.