Atrial Fibrillation In Men Research Articles

Signal Transduction Profiling of Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor With Mutations Associated to Atrial Fibrillation in Humans.

The AT1 receptor (AT1R) has a major role in the Renin-Angiotensin System, being involved in several physiological events including blood pressure control and electrolyte balance. The AT1R is a member of the G protein coupled receptors (GPCR) family, classically known to couple Gαq and engage β-arrestin recruitment. Both G protein and arrestin signaling pathways are involved in modulation of different downstream kinases. A previous study reported that mutations in the AT1R (A244S and I103T-A244S) were positively correlated with higher risk of atrial fibrillation in men. Based on that report, we aimed to investigate if these mutations, including I103T only, could affect AT1R signal transduction profile, and consequently, implicate in atrial fibrillation outcome. To address that, we engineered an AT1R carrying the above-mentioned mutations, and functionally evaluated different signaling pathways. Phosphokinase profiler array to assess the mutations downstream effects on kinases and kinase substrates phosphorylation levels was used. Our results show that the I103T-A244S mutant receptor presents decreased β-arrestin 2 recruitment, which could lead to a harmful condition of sustained Gαq signaling. Moreover, the phosphokinase profiler array revealed that the same mutation led to downstream modulation of kinase pathways that are linked to physiological responses such as fibrous tissue formation, apoptosis and cell proliferation.

Body Mass Index, Sex, and Incident Atrial Fibrillation in Diabetes: The ACCORD Trial.

This study sought to characterize the relationship between obesity and the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in diabetes. Obesity is associated with increased risk of AF in the general population, but there is evidence that this relationship may differ in those with diabetes. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and incident AF on study electrocardiogram in participants from the ACCORD (Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes) trial. Among 10,074 ACCORD participants (age 62.7 ± 6.6 years, 38.7% women, 62.2% white), 8.4% were normal weight, 29.0% were overweight, 53.1% were obese, and 9.5% were severely obese. Participants with obesity and severe obesity had increased risks of AF compared with normal weight (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.91; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03 to 3.93; and HR: 3.69; 95%CI: 1.79 to 8.22, respectively). There was a 51% increased risk of AF per SD (5.4 U) BMI increase. However, there was a sex and BMI interaction-in men, obesity and severe obesity were associated with a substantially increased AF risk (HR: 3.19; 95%CI: 1.27 to 7.31; and HR: 4.79; 95%CI: 2.11 to 11.93, respectively), whereas there was no statistically significant association in women. In those with diabetes, obesity and severe obesity are associated with increased risk of AF, but there is an interaction between sex and BMI, such that elevated BMI appears to confer a much greater risk of AF in men than in women. Further studies exploring the differential effects of BMI on AF risk in men and women are needed.

Dominant frequency predicts sinus rhythm maintenance after electrical cardioversion for persistent atrial fibrillation in men but not in women

Abstract Background Women are usually underrepresented in studies evaluating rhythm control strategies in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Subsequently, the same holds true for studies looking at predictors for success of a rhythm control strategy for AF. Purpose To study the predictive power of the non-invasively determined dominant frequency (DF) on the electrocardiogram (ECG) in men and women undergoing electrical cardioversion (ECV) for persistent AF. Methods We matched 105 female patients undergoing elective ECV for persistent AF and 105 male control patients based on age and cardiovascular comorbidity profile. We determined the DF on all 12 leads of a standard digital 10 seconds ECG recorded on the day of ECV. Recurrences of AF within the first year after ECV were documented. Results There were no differences in comorbidities, AF duration, left ventricular systolic function, indexed left atrial volume and anti-arrhythmic drugs between male and female patients. The dominant frequency was significantly lower in male patients without an AF recurrence on all leads. The best performing lead to identify patients with recurrences was lead III with an AUC 0.752. The optimal cut-off point was a DF <5.98 Hz with a sensitivity 84% and a specificity 67%. There was no significant difference in DF between female patients with and without an AF recurrence. The AUC in lead III was 0.47 (Figure 1). Conclusion The non-invasively measured dominant frequency is able to predict AF recurrence after electrical cardioversion in male patients with persistent AF but not in a matched female cohort. This difference might be explained by different pathophysiological mechanisms underlying AF in male and female patients. Therefore, future research is needed on pathophysiological differences between men and women that can explain and might overcome these challenges. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): European Network for Translational Research in Atrial Fibrillation (grant no. 261057), the Center for Translational Molecular Medicine (COHFAR),

Sex-specific temporal trends in the incidence of atrial fibrillation in a large Norwegian population-based study 1986–2014

Abstract Background Due to population aging, increasing prevalence of obesity and enhanced detection, the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) worldwide is increasing steadily. Considerable sex differences in the epidemiology of AF such as lower prevalence and later onset in women compared to men have been reported. However, little is known about sex-specific temporal trends in AF incidence within the general population. Purpose To explore sex-specific age-adjusted secular trends in the incidence of AF in a general population from Norway between 1986 and 2014. Methods A total of 16,865 men and 15,413 women aged 20 years or older and without AF were enrolled in a longitudinal population study between 1986 and 2008 and followed up for incident AF to the end of 2014. Follow-up was from the date of attendance to the date of AF, emigration or death, whichever came first. All AF cases were validated by an independent endpoint committee using hospital and death records. AF incidence rates were calculated for each calendar year by dividing the number of AF cases per year by the corresponding person-time at risk. To allow for non-linear time trends, calendar year was fitted using fractional polynomials. Poisson regression was used to estimate calendar year-specific AF incidence rates adjusted for age. All analyses were stratified by sex. Results A total of 911 AF events in women and 1,139 AF events in men occurred over 324,090 person-years and 294,531 person-years of follow-up, respectively. During the study period AF incidence rates in men were at least double that in women (Figure). Age-adjusted AF incidence rates in women increased from 1986, peaked at 0.87 per 1000 person-years in 1998 and then decreased slightly towards 2014. In men AF incidence rates increased up to 2.18 per 1000 person-years in 2005 and then steeply decreased. Conclusion(s) AF incidence rates decreased in both women and men towards the end of the study period. The decrease was more profound in men compared to that in women. One possible explanation is more pronounced reduction in incidence and better treatment of myocardial infarction in men compared to women given that the aetiology of AF in men is mainly ischemic heart disease-related. However, further epidemiological analyses should be undertaken to identify explanatory factors. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): University Hospital of North Norway, Northern Norway Regional Health Authority

Differential impact of adiposity on risk of atrial fibrillation in men and women in UK Biobank

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) and obesity are common conditions with important health implications. Greater adiposity has been associated with higher risk of AF. However, body fat distribution differs between sexes, and the independent effects of different adiposity measures on AF risk remain unclear. Purpose To establish the independent effects of general and central adiposity on risk of incident AF in men and women. Methods UK Biobank is a prospective study involving 502,536 adults (aged 40–69). Participants underwent an extensive baseline interview and physical assessment (including bio-impedance measurements). Incident AF cases were identified by linkage to national hospital statistics and death registry data. Cox regression models adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, deprivation, smoking and alcohol, were used to estimate effects of general adiposity (body mass index [BMI] and body fat mass), central adiposity (waist circumference [WC]), and lean mass, on risk of incident AF (per sex-specific standard deviation [SD]). Results Among 477,918 participants (mean age 56.4 years, SD 8.1; 45% men) with no history of AF, mean BMI was similar in women (27.0kg/m2, SD 5.0) and men (27.8kg/m2, SD 4.1). Conversely, mean WC was lower in women (84.5cm, SD 12.3) than men (96.8cm, SD 11.0), while mean body fat mass was higher in women (26.9kg, SD 9.8) than men (22.2kg, SD 8.0). A total of 14,362 incident AF events were identified (5,254 in women, 9,108 in men) over 8.1 years median follow-up. AF was positively associated with adiposity. A 1-SD higher BMI, equivalent to 4.6kg/m2, and a 1-SD higher WC, equivalent to 11.7cm, were each associated with >30% higher risks of AF (hazard ratio [HR] BMI 1.32 [95% CI 1.30–1.34]; WC 1.37 [1.35–1.39]), and showed no sex differences. Lean mass was also strongly associated with AF (1.41 [1.39–1.43]), and similar between sexes. In contrast, a 1-SD higher body fat mass, equivalent to 9.0kg, was associated with a 34% higher risk of AF overall (1.34 [1.32–1.36]), but had a stronger effect in women (1.41 [1.38–1.45]) than men (1.30 [1.28–1.33]), p-interaction 1x10–6; albeit effects were comparable per kg). After adjustment for body fat mass and lean mass, WC remained positively associated with AF overall (1.19 [1.15–1.23]) and in both sexes (1.14 [1.09–1.20] in women, 1.21 [1.17–1.26] in men). However, following adjustment for lean mass and WC, body fat mass remained positively associated with AF (1.09 [1.06–1.12]) overall, and in women (1.19 [1.14–1.26]) but was almost completely attenuated in men (1.04 [1.01–1.08]), p-interaction 0.004 (Figure). Associations were not materially changed by further adjustment for height, or by excluding those with prior vascular disease. Conclusions Central adiposity is strongly and independently associated with AF in both sexes. Conversely, general adiposity is independently associated with risk of AF in women but not men. Suggesting the impact fat distribution on AF risk differs by sex. Fat mass, waist circumference & AF risk Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): British Heart Foundation

Subclinical measures of peripheral atherosclerosis and risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation in men and women from general population

Abstract Background Limited data on the link between peripheral vascular atherosclerosis measures and the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in the general population exists. Moreover, comprehensive assessment of the association between the two conditions among men and women is sparse. Purpose To determine the association between baseline and longitudinal measures of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), carotid plaque, and ankle-brachial index (ABI) with new-onset AF. Methods 12840 participants free of AF at baseline were included in this large prospective population-based cohort study. Among the 12840 included participants, 11998 had at least one available measure for cIMT and 8532 for ABI. Presence of carotid plaque was only measured at baseline (n=11766). Three repeated measurements for cIMT and two repeated measurements for ABI were available during follow-up. The association between baseline cIMT, carotid plaque, and ABI as well as longitudinal changes in cIMT and ABI with incident AF were assessed using Cox regression and joint models respectively. Models were adjusted for age and traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Results During a median follow-up of 9.1 years, 1362 incident AF occurred. Baseline cIMT (adjusted hazard ratio–HR; 95% confidence interval–CI: 3.46; 1.97–6.05) and longitudinal changes in cIMT (adjusted HR; 95% CI: 3.35; 1.89–5.95) showed strong independent associations with incident AF among women (Figure 1). Baseline ABI showed a significant association with incident AF among men (adjusted HR; 95% CI: 0.61; 0.38–0.97) and a borderline significant association among women (adjusted HR; 95% CI: 0.65; 0.41–1.02). Longitudinal changes in ABI were not associated with the risk of incident AF independent of traditional risk factors. Conclusions Carotid atherosclerosis at baseline and progression of carotid atherosclerosis during follow-up were strongly associated with new-onset AF among women. Lower extremity peripheral atherosclerosis at baseline, but not its longitudinal changes during follow-up, was significantly associated with incident AF, in particular among men. Our findings imply that screening and monitoring for carotid atherosclerosis carry a potential for prevention of AF among women. Figure 1. HR of baseline cIMT and AF Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Netherlands Organization for the Health Research and Development (ZonMw); the Research Institute for Diseases in the Elderly (RIDE)

Relationship between AF-risk, ischemic stroke AF related, and cognitive dysfunction in population older than 65 years-old. MIND-COR study

Abstract Background The number of individuals with atrial fibrillation (AF) and cognitive impairment (CI) will increase 150% by 2050. Purpose The main objective of this study is to elucidate the relationship between AF-risk, the ischemic stroke, and the cognitive dysfunction. Methods Multicenter, longitudinal and retrospective community-based study of cohort ≥65 year-old without AF between 1/1/2013–31/12/2017 conducted by 11 Primary Care teams. Variables: sociodemographic; Charlson, CHA2DS2VASc score, Pfeiffer and NIHSS scores from records database (primary care, specialty clinics and hospitalizations). Kaplan-Meier to evaluate mortality. Descriptive analysis Cox regression to create an AF risk score was developed: Q1 (lowest AF-risk)-Q4 (highest AF-risk). Incidence density (ID) rate per 1000/people/years of AF and stroke; and CI prevalence were calculated by risk stratum. Approved by Ethics Committee of IDIAP Jordi Gol PP15/047. Results 46706 (women 49%) cases, aged 78.01±11.9 and average follow-up time 4.9±0.7 years. Q4 risk group (Q4) was characterized by women's (85.2%), highest age, AF, stroke, CI and mortality. 1244 AF were diagnosed (ID 10.5/1000/year's IC95% 9.9–11.2). Q3–4 levels included 53.8% of AF in men vs 84.2% in women. 214 strokes were diagnosed and 78.5% happened in Q3–4, especially among women (88.1%). The stroke and AF were diagnosed simultaneously in 9.8% (ID 5.8/1000/year CI95% 3.4–8.1) and showed higher severity (NIHSS 7.25±8.62 vs 4.55±5.74, p=0.002). The cognitive impairment increased from 2.6% (Q1) up to 16.4% (Q4) significantly higher in women (17.6% vs 12.1%) Conclusions Differences were found according to gender and risk groups. The risk-based screening could improve the effectiveness of AF screening in primary care. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Weight, height, weight change, and risk of incident atrial fibrillation in middle-aged men and women.

BackgroundAnthropometric factors are reported to be risk factors for atrial fibrillation (AF), but it is unclear whether weight change in mid‐life is associated with AF. We aimed to study the possible associations of weight, height, and weight change with the risk of incident AF in men and women.MethodsOur study cohort included 108 417 persons (51% women) who participated in a population‐based health examination in northern Sweden at 30, 40, 50, or 60 years of age. The health examination included weight and height measurement and collection of data regarding cardiovascular risk factors. Within this cohort, 40 275 participants underwent two health examinations with a 10‐year interval. We identified cases with a first‐ever diagnosis of AF through the Swedish National Patient Registry.ResultsDuring a total follow‐up of 1 469 820 person‐years, 5154 participants developed incident AF. The mean age at inclusion was 46.3 years, and mean age at AF diagnosis was 66.6 years. After adjustment for potential confounders, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and body surface area (BSA) were positively associated with risk of incident AF in both men and women. Among participants who underwent two health examinations 10 years apart, 1142 persons developed AF. The mean weight change from baseline was a gain of 4.8%. Weight gain or weight loss was not significantly associated with risk of incident AF.ConclusionsHeight, weight, BMI, and BSA showed positive associations with risk of incident AF in both men and women. Midlife weight change was not significantly associated with AF risk.

PT05.1: Serum N-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Risk of Atrial Fibrillation in Men

PT05.1: Serum N-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Risk of Atrial Fibrillation in Men

Plasma total testosterone and risk of incident atrial fibrillation: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study

ObjectiveWhether endogenous testosterone concentrations are associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) development is not well established. We assessed the association between plasma total testosterone concentrations and incident AF in a population-based longitudinal study. Study designUsing data from the prospective Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, we identified incident AF among 9282 participants who had plasma total testosterone measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry at Visit 4 (1996–1998). Main outcome measuresAF cases were identified by electrocardiograms performed during study visits, hospital records/discharge codes, and death certificates through 2013. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for incident AF across quartiles of plasma total testosterone, stratified by sex, with multivariable Cox models. ResultsThe mean age of the participant sample at ARIC Visit 4 was 63 years (range 52–75); 54.5% were women. Mean (SD) plasma total testosterone levels were 537 ng/dL (213) for men and 27.6 ng/dL (34.7) for women. Over a mean of 13.7 years of follow-up, 1664 incident cases of AF were identified. Comparing those in the highest quartile of plasma total testosterone concentration to those in the lowest quartile and after adjustment for potential confounding variables, there was a positive association between plasma total testosterone and incident AF in men (HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.07, 1.66), but no such association in women (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.80, 1.22).Conclusion A higher plasma total testosterone concentration was associated with a modestly greater incidence rate of AF in men.

Body mass index and body fat distribution and new-onset atrial fibrillation: Substudy of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition in Norfolk (EPIC-Norfolk) study

Background and aimObesity is a recognized risk factor for new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). The association between body fat distribution, which is measured by body mass index (BMI) and waist–hip ratio (WHR), its changes, and new-onset AF is conflicting. Methods and resultsParticipants of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition in Norfolk cohort study were included, with exclusion criteria of prevalent AF, rheumatic heart disease, and cancer. AF was confirmed by the International Classification of Diseases-10 hospital discharge code I48. Adjusted sex-specific Cox proportional hazards models were used to quantify the AF risk per 1 standard deviation increase and for quintiles of adiposity indices. A total of 10,885 men and 12,857 women were followed up for a median of 19 years, yielding 451,098 person-years. New-onset AF was diagnosed in 1408 (12.9%) men and 1102 (8.6%) women. Multivariable analyses showed that BMI predicted new-onset AF in all, while WHR predicted only in men. New-onset AF risk gradually increased across the range of adiposity indices: for men in the highest BMI quintile, HR: 1.59 (CI 1.32–1.91, p for trend<0.001), whereas for women in the highest BMI quintile, HR: 1.52 (CI 1.23–1.88, p for trend<0.001). Further, for men in the highest WHR quintile, HR: 1.31 (CI 1.09–1.57, p for trend: 0.01), whereas for women in the highest WHR quintile, HR: 1.12 (CI 0.90–1.41, p for trend: 0.17). The change in BMI and WHR was similar in participants with or without new-onset AF. ConclusionsAn increased body mass, as measured by BMI, is associated with an increased risk of developing new-onset AF. More abdominal fat distribution, as measured by WHR, is associated with an increased risk of developing new-onset AF in men but not in women.

Ankylosing spondylitis: A novel risk factor for atrial fibrillation — A nationwide population-based study

BackgroundAnkylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease, associated with a number of cardiovascular diseases. We sought to investigate whether AS increases the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in a nationwide population-based study. MethodsA total of 14,129 patients newly diagnosed with AS (mean age 41.8 ± 15.3 years, 72% male) were recruited from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database between 2010 and 2014 and followed up for new onset AF. Age- and sex-matched non-AS subjects (1:5, n = 70,645) were selected and compared with the AS patients. ResultsDuring a mean follow-up of 3.5 years, AF was newly diagnosed in 486 patients (114 patients of the AS group). The AS patients developed AF more frequently than the non-AS subjects (2.32 vs. 1.51 per 1000 person-years). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, AS was an independent risk factor for AF (Hazard ratio [HR] 1.28, 95% confidence interval [1.03–1.58]). The AS with tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) therapy group showed higher risk for AF (HR 1.60 [1.02–2.39]). In younger patients of the AS group (patients <40 years old), the risk for AF was three times higher than patients at same age in the non-AS group. AS was an independent risk factor for AF in men, but not in women (HR 1.53 [1.18–1.95]; HR 1.42 [0.94–2.08], respectively). ConclusionsAS was an independent risk factor for AF, especially in those under 40 years of age and those administered TNFi. It would be reasonable to screen for AF and stroke prevention in these high-risk patients.

CLINICAL AND STATISTICAL EVALUATION OF THE CALLS OF PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

This article presents the results of the clinical and statistical evaluation of the calls of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) by the data of the emergency medical service in Moscow. Ambulance teams was performed a voluntary questionnaire survey of 5003 patients with AF. There were 17% of emergency calls for heart rhythm disturbances from the total number of cardiovascular diseases and 88% of these arrhythmias was AF. A clear trend was observed in the prevalence of AF in men of working age and in women in the older age group. Among the respondents prevails paroxysmal form of AF in 70.1% of cases. The average score on the risk scale of thromboembolic complications in patients with atrial fibrillation/flutter CHA2DS2-VASc was 3.56±1.71. The average score on the scale of risk assessment of ischemic stroke in patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation/flutter CHADS2 was 1.85±1.13. The number of patients with a score of two or more on both scales was 87.7% and 59.3% respectively. 28% of patients with AF asked for medical help at least 48 hours after the onset of the paroxysm. Regular observation by a cardiologist is carried out in 50.5% of cases, by a therapist in 62.8%, jointly by a therapist and a cardiologist in 45% respectively. Continuous oral anticoagulant therapy is performed in 29.8% of patients with AF. The percentage of medical evacuations of patients with AF increased from 23.8% in 2015 to 27.1% in 2016. The study showed that regular clinical and statistical analysis of the effectiveness of medical care for patients with AF at all stages of medical surveillance is necessary.

Individual and combined impact of lifestyle factors on atrial fibrillation in apparently healthy men and women: The EPIC-Norfolk prospective population study.

Background Lifestyle factors are important targets for prevention. The cumulative impact of healthy lifestyle on atrial fibrillation in the population has not been quantified. Design Prospective population-based cohort study. Methods Four lifestyle factors (normal weight, currently not smoking, no or moderate alcohol intake, and physically not inactive) were assessed in apparently healthy 21,499 men and women aged 39-79 years participating in the EPIC study in Norfolk, UK. The age and sex-adjusted hazard (95% confidence interval) of hospital admission with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation during an average follow-up of 17.1 years was examined for each factor separately and for a health score comprising factors with significant impact. Results Normal weight, currently not smoking and low alcohol intake were associated with a significantly lower risk of atrial fibrillation, whereas not being physically inactive showed no significant association. We used a score of one point each for not smoking, low alcohol intake and body mass index 25 to 27.5 kg/m2, and two points for body mass index < 25 kg/m2. Compared with men and women with four health points, hazard ratios of atrial fibrillation were 1.25 (1.11-1.41), 1.56 (1.39-1.75), 1.83 (1.56-2.16) and 2.82 (1.85-4.29) for participants with three, two, one and no health points, respectively ( p < 0.0001 for trend). Results were consistent by sex, age, education level, social class and after excluding participants with hypertension and diabetes. Conclusion Three lifestyle factors combined predict an almost 2.8-fold difference in the risk of atrial fibrillation in men and women.

Trend of Prevalence of Atrial Fibrillation and use of Oral Anticoagulation Therapy in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation in South Korea (2002-2013).

BackgroundThis study examined the annual prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and its associated comorbidities, as well as the prevalence of warfarin therapy in South Korean patients with AF.MethodsThe National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort database was searched for subjects aged ≥30 years diagnosed with AF from 2002–2013. The prevalence of AF was analyzed by sex and age, as was the current status of warfarin therapy in AF patients according to CHA2DS2-VASc score and comorbidities.ResultsThe age-standardized prevalence of AF in men and women was 0.15% and 0.14%, respectively, in 2002, increasing to 0.54% and 0.39%, respectively, in 2013. In 2013, the prevalence of AF in men and women aged 30–39 years was 0.08% and 0.03%, respectively, increasing to 2.35% and 1.71%, respectively, in those in aged ≥60 years. During 2002–2013, the prevalence of AF in men significantly increased among subjects aged ≥30 years and increased in women aged ≥60 years. The age-standardized prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus among AF patients were markedly increased during 2002–2013. Of these AF patients, 86.1% had a CHA2DS2-VASc score of ≥2; however, only 39.1% of these were receiving warfarin.ConclusionsThe age-standardized prevalence of AF increased 2.89-fold over the 12-year study period. The total number of patients with AF in South Korea has been drastically increasing, due to not only aging society but also increasing age-specific prevalence of AF, especially in middle-aged and elderly individuals. The rate of warfarin therapy increased slightly over the study period but remains low.

Risk of atrial fibrillation in people with type 1 diabetes compared with matched controls from the general population: a prospective case-control study

Type 1 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of developing several cardiovascular complications. To our knowledge, the independent association between type 1 diabetes and atrial fibrillation has not been studied. We did a prospective case-control study of individuals with type 1 diabetes in the Swedish National Diabetes Registry who were each matched with five controls for age, sex, and county of residence who were randomly selected from the Swedish Population Register. Cases of atrial fibrillation were obtained from the Swedish National Patient Registry. We followed up 36 258 patients with type 1 diabetes and 179 980 controls between Jan 1, 2001, and Dec 31, 2013. Median follow-up was 9·7 years (IQR 5·2-13·0) for patients and 10·2 years (5·7-13·0) for controls. 749 (2%) individuals with type 1 diabetes and 2882 (2%) controls were diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1·13 (95% CI 1·01-1·25; p=0·029) in men and 1·50 (1·30-1·72; p<0·0001) in women (p=0·0019 for interaction). The excess risk of atrial fibrillation in individuals with type 1 diabetes increased with worsening glycaemic control and renal complications. Among individuals with normoalbuminuria, no excess risk of atrial fibrillation was noted in men with type 1 diabetes who had HbA1c lower than 9·7% (<83 mmol/mol) or in women with type 1 diabetes who had HbA1c lower than 8·8% (<73 mmol/mol). Compared with the general population, the risk of atrial fibrillation in men with type 1 diabetes was slightly raised, whereas for female patients it was 50% higher. The risk of atrial fibrillation in people with type 1 diabetes increased with renal complications and poor glycaemic control. Novo Nordisk Foundation, Swedish State (ALF agreement), Swedish Research Council (SIMSAM), Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation, Swedish Diabetes Foundation, Diabetes Wellness.

Sex hormones and the risk of atrial fibrillation: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Atrial fibrillation is more prevalent in men than women. Due to these sex differences in atrial fibrillation susceptibility, we examined whether sex hormones have differing associations with atrial fibrillation risk in men and women. This analysis included 4883 (mean age = 63 ± 10 years; 39% women; 64% non-white) participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Sex hormones (total testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, estradiol, and sex hormone binding globulin) were measured at baseline (2000-2002) for all male and all postmenopausal female participants. Atrial fibrillation was ascertained by hospital discharge records, Medicare claims data, and study electrocardiograms through December 31, 2012. Over a median follow-up of 10.9 years, a total of 613 (13%) atrial fibrillation cases were detected. A higher incidence rate of atrial fibrillation was observed for males (n = 385, age-standardized incidence rate per 1000 person-years = 12.3, 95%CI = 11.1, 13.6) than females (n = 228, age-standardized incidence rate per 1000 person-years = 9.0, 95%CI = 7.9, 10.3). In men, higher bioavailable testosterone levels were associated with increased atrial fibrillation risk (HR = 1.32, 95%CI = 1.01, 1.74; p = 0.044; comparing 3rd to 1st tertile), while an association in the opposite direction was observed for women (HR = 0.81, 95%CI = 0.58, 1.13; p = 0.22; comparing 3rd to 1st tertile). Other hormones were not associated with atrial fibrillation in men or women. Higher levels of endogenous bioavailable testosterone contribute to atrial fibrillation development in men. The combination of endogenous bioavailable testosterone and other risk factors potentially are important for atrial fibrillation development in men.

Liver enzymes are not directly involved in atrial fibrillation: a prospective cohort study.

Epidemiological evidence proposes the direct involvement of the liver enzymes in atrial fibrillation. These relationships are controversial and mechanistically unclear. As part of the British Regional Heart Study, we investigated whether change in liver enzymes over time associates with atrial fibrillation in men initially free of this heart condition. We prospectively investigated change (delta) in liver enzymes and new-onset atrial fibrillation in a representative sample of 1428 men aged 60-79years. Mean follow-up was 12·3years, after which 108 new atrial fibrillation cases were identified. The liver enzymes did not differ at baseline or follow-up, except for gamma-glutamyl transferase which was higher at follow-up in men who developed atrial fibrillation compared to those who did not (P<0·0001). Change in GGT was greater in men who developed AF than those who did not (+6·12 vs. -2·60U/L, P=0·036). N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (baseline and follow-up, P<0·0001) and total bilirubin (follow-up only, P<0·0001) were also higher in men who developed atrial fibrillation while serum haemoglobin was similar at baseline and follow-up (P≥0·74). Atrial fibrillation was associated with change in gamma-glutamyl transferase (OR, 1·18; 95% CI, 1·01-1·37) after multiple adjustments and exclusions. However, after adjusting for baseline (P=0·088) or change (P=0·40) in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, the association between atrial fibrillation and change in gamma-glutamyl transferase was lost. The direct relationship between atrial fibrillation and liver enzymes is absent and depends, at least in part, on the progression of heart failure as captured by N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide.

Effect of Dietary Intake of Saturated Fatty Acids on the Development of Atrial Fibrillation and the Effect of Replacement of Saturated With Monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

The aim of the present study was to explore substitution of intake of saturated fatty acids (FAs) with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated FAs and incident atrial fibrillation (AF) in men and women. A total of 57,053 Danish participants aged 50 to 64 years were enrolled in the Diet, Cancer and Health cohort study in 1993 to 1997 and completed a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire at baseline. Follow-up was registry-based and data were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression. The statistical model was formulated in such a way that 1 g/day of saturated FAs was replaced with 1 g/day of monounsaturated or polyunsaturated FAs while keeping total fat intake, total energy intake, and energy intake from protein and carbohydrates constant. During a median follow-up of 17 years, 5,175 incident cases of AF occurred. In men, there was a higher hazard of AF when total n-3 polyunsaturated FAs replaced dietary saturated FAs-hazard ratio per 1-g substitution of FAs of 1.08 (95% confidence interval 1.02 to 1.14) in a model adjusted for lifestyle factors. For other substitutions of FAs (monounsaturated, total or n-6 polyunsaturated FAs), no consistent nor statistically significant associations were found. In conclusion, we found a moderately higher risk of AF in men, but not in women, when total n-3 polyunsaturated FAs replaced dietary saturated FAs. Substitution of saturated FAs with monounsaturated, total or n-6 polyunsaturated FAs was not associated with the risk of AF.

Smoking as a Risk Factor for the Occurrence of Atrial Fibrillation in Men Versus Women: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

Although smoking is known to be associated with cardiovascular diseases, the number of large-scale cohort studies on the association between smoking and atrial fibrillation (AF) is limited and the results obtained are also inconsistent, and even fewer studies have addressed the difference between the male and female genders. The present study was intended to clarify and quantify the association between smoking and the risk of AF in men versus women. Using AF- and smoking-related keywords, a comprehensive literature search on PubMed, Embase and Web of Science was conducted with a time limit until December 2016, which was followed by manual screening, quality assessment and data extraction. The pooled relative risk (RR) of the included studies was estimated by using the random-effects model. Subgroup, heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. A total of 14 prospective studies and 222,159 individuals were included in this meta-analysis, and the pooled RR of the 14 studies was 1.24 (95% CI, 1.12-1.36; p<0.0001) for the occurrence of AF in smoking populations. The pooled RR in men was 1.38 (95% CI, 1.21-1.57 p<0.0001) versus 1.28 in women (95% CI, 0.93-1.76; p=0.1356). The male-to-female ratio of relative risk (RRR) was 1.17 (95% CI, 0.84-1.63; p=0.3418) of smoking versus non-smoking individuals. Smoking is a risk factor for the occurrence of AF. Compared with women, male smokers are more likely to develop AF.