Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: This retrospective cohort analysis using National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) data aimed to investigate the potential correlation between acupuncture treatment in patients with AF and prevention of stroke and mortality.
METHODS: Patients with newly diagnosed AF between 2009 and 2013, from NHIS sample cohort database, were categorized into acupuncture treatment-exposed group (AT group) and nonexposed group (non-AT group) if exposed ≥2 times and not at all within a year post-diagnosis, respectively. Propensity score matching (PSM) addressed group imbalances, and subgroup and dose-response analyses were conducted. Primary outcome was cerebral infarction, while secondary outcomes were all-cause and circulatory system disease mortality.
RESULTS: After PSM, each group included 1,326 of the 4,590 newly diagnosed patients with AF. The 5-year follow-up showed a significantly lower adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for cerebral infarction in the AT group than that in the non-AT group (aHR 0.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52-0.95). The aHR for all-cause and circulatory system disease-related mortality was 0.79 (95% CI 0.66-0.94) and 0.76 (95% CI 0.59-0.97), respectively, indicating a significant reduction. Dose-response analysis revealed a significant decrease in cerebral infarction and mortality in the high-dose AT group. Subgroup analysis showed a hazard ratio exceeding 1 in certain groups; however, this difference was not statistically significant.
CONCLUSIONS: Based on the NHIS data, we established a correlation between acupuncture exposure, cerebral infarction, and mortality in patients with AF. Expanding the participant pool and conducting follow-up studies with diverse variables, such as health checkup data and medication usage, is recommended.