OBJECTIVETo determine the predictive value of HATCH score on recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA).

METHODSThe data of 123 consecutive AF patients (74 paroxysmal and 49 persistent AF) who underwent RFCA between April 2009 and December 2010 in our department were retrospectively analyzed. Of theses patients, 65 (52.9%) patients had HATCH score = 0, 41 (33.3%) patients had HATCH score = 1, and 17 (13.8%) patients had HATCH score ≥ 2 (HATCH = 2 in 11 patients, HATCH = 3 in 5 patients, HATCH = 4 in 1 patient). The recurrence was defined as atrial tachyarrhythmia lasting more than 30 seconds after 3 months post RFCA. The patients were divided into recurrence group and no recurrence group. Relationship between HATCH score and recurrence was observed.

RESULTSThere were 43 cases in recurrence group and 80 cases in no recurrence group. After 12 months follow-up, HATCH score was significant higher in recurrence group than in non-recurrence group [(0.91 ± 0.94) score vs. (0.53 ± 0.80) score, P < 0.05]. The ratio of patients with HATCH ≥ 2 in recurrence group was higher than in non-recurrence group [23.3% (10/43) vs. 8.8% (7/80), P < 0.01]. The sensitivity and specificity of HATCH ≥ 2 to define the risk of recurrence was 25.0%, 92.4% respectively. Cumulative non-recurrence rate of patients with HATCH score ≥ 2 was lower than patients with HATCH score = 0 and 1 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHigher HATCH score is associated with increased risk of AF recurrence post RFCA.

Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDSoft tissue rheumatism is a group of common rheumatic disorders reported in many countries. For investigating the prevalence rate of soft tissue rheumatism in different population in China, we carried out a population study in Shantou rural and Taiyuan urban area.

METHODSSamples of 3915 adults in an urban area of Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, and 2350 in a rural area of Shantou, Guangdong Province were surveyed. Modified International League of Association for Rheumatology (ILAR)-Asia Pacific League of Association for Rheumatology (APLAR) Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD) core questionnaire was implemented as screening tool. The positive responders were then all examined by rheumatologists.

RESULTSPrevalence rate of soft tissue rheumatism was 2.0% in Taiyuan, and 5.3% in Shantou. Rotator cuff (shoulder) tendinitis, adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), and digital flexor tenosynovitis (trigger finger) were the commonly seen soft tissue rheumatism in both areas. Tatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis, and De Quervain's tenosynovitis were more commonly seen in Shantou than that in Taiyuan. Only 1 case of fibromyalgia was found in Taiyuan and 2 cases in Shantou. The prevalence of soft tissue rheumatism varied with age, sex and occupation.

CONCLUSIONSSoft tissue rheumatism is common in Taiyuan and Shantou, China. The prevalence of soft tissue rheumatism was quite different with different geographic, environmental, and socioeconomic conditions; and varying with age, sex, and occupation. The prevalence of fibromyalgia is low in the present survey.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Bursitis ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Rheumatic Diseases ; epidemiology ; Sex Distribution ; Tendinopathy ; epidemiology ; Tenosynovitis ; epidemiology ; Young Adult

Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; diagnostic imaging ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Regression Analysis ; Severity of Illness Index