Date amended:
External
Statements of Principles

Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter - Hyperthyroidism Factor

In the Statement of Principles for atrial fibrillation the RMA has defined hyperthyroidism as “thyrotoxicosis or subclinical hyperthyroidism”.

Subclinical hyperthyroidism is simply an excess of thyroid hormones without clinical manifestations, ie where symptoms and signs are not apparent or detectable by clinical examination.

Note:  While goitre, covered by a SOP, is a clinical manifestation of hyperthyroidism, goitre is not a cause of atrial fibrillation.  Therefore, the goitre SOP should not be used for propagation purposes when considering the hyperthyroidism factor in atrial fibrillation.

Last reviewed for CCPS 16 July 2003.

Preliminary questions [34730]

34729 there is some evidence that hyperthyroidism may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration.

28996 the veteran has suffered from hyperthyroidism at some time.

34731 the veteran suffered from hyperthyroidism at the time of the clinical onset of atrial fibrillation.<hotword

34732  the veteran has established the causal connection between the hyperthyroidism at the time of onset of atrial fibrillation and VEA service for the clinical onset of atrial fibrillation.

34733   the veteran has established the causal connection between the hyperthyroidism at the time of onset of atrial fibrillation and operational service for the clinical onset of atrial fibrillation.

or

34734   the veteran has established the causal connection between the hyperthyroidism at the time of onset of atrial fibrillation and eligible service for the clinical onset of atrial fibrillation.

Clinical onset and operational service [34733]

34735  the hyperthyroidism is causally related to operational service.

Clinical onset and eligible service [34734]

34736  the hyperthyroidism is causally related to eligible service.