Abstract 13039: Uric Acids and Risk of Development of Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

Background: Uric acid is a final product of xanthine oxidase pathway and is positively correlated with levels of oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which are the important pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation. We aimed to study the impact of serum uric acid level on risk of development of atrial fibrillation in the general population. Methods: This prospective observational cohort study was based upon an annual health check-up program including a detailed medical history, physical examination, blood and urine examination, chest x-ray, and a 12-lead electrocardiogram. We included 23,436 individuals (8,611 males; age, 61±12 years) without atrial fibrillation at baseline who were followed for more than one year. Results: During a follow up of 6.5±1.9 years, atrial fibrillation developed in 426 individuals (incidence, 2.78 per 1000 person-years; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.52 to 3.05 per 1000 person-years). Incidence of atrial fibrillation increased with an increasing quartile of serum uric acid levels (Table). In multivariate analysis, elevated serum level of uric acid was independently associated with increased risk of development of atrial fibrillation (hazard ratio [HR], 1.127 per 1.0 mg/dL increase; 95% CI, 1.041-1.219 per 1.0 mg/dL increase). Hyperuricemia defined as serum uric acid more than 7.0 mg/dL was associated with risk of atrial fibrillation (hazard ratio [HR], 1.592; 95% CI, 1.127 - 2.249). The impact of hyperuricemia on risk of atrial fibrillation was higher in women than men. Conclusion: Hyperuricemia was a potentially modifiable risk factor for atrial fibrillation. Our study indicates the possibility that interventions to decrease uric acid may reduce the population of atrial fibrillation.