World Population Research Articles

Disease burden of Parkinson's disease in Asia and its 34 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

The increasing global population and aging have made Parkinson's disease (PD) a significant public health concern. Comprehensive evaluations of PD burden trends in Asian subregions and countries are lacking. This study investigated PD burden in Asia from 1990 to 2021, categorized by age, sex, and region. Data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 were analyzed to assess the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) across five Asian subregions and 34 countries/territories, using join-point regression, decomposition analysis, frontier analysis, and Bayesian models to examine changes, influencing factors, and predict future trends. In 2021, the age-standardized PD incidence and prevalence in Asia were higher than the global average, particularly in East Asia (24.16 and 243.46/100,000, respectively). From 1990 to 2021, the incidence of PD in Asia rose by 198.01%, its prevalence rose by 284.35%, mortality rose by 111.27%, and DALY rose by 144.45%. Males consistently presented a greater PD burden than females did, with a growing sex gap over time. PD burden increased with age, especially among those aged 65 years and older. Population aging was the primary driver of new PD cases, and increasing etiological factors led to more patients. Inequalities in the PD burden have increased between high- and low-income areas, with low-income regions being more affected. By 2036, PD incidence is projected to increase in all subregions except the High-income Asia-Pacific region, with males experiencing a higher rate of increase. The PD burden in Asia has significantly increased over the past three decades, particularly in middle-aged and elderly males, middle- and low-SDI countries, and individuals already suffering from PD. The increasing incidence and aging population necessitate the reallocation of medical resources, improved chronic disease management systems, stronger public health interventions, and sustainable development efforts. Research into etiological factors, pathogenesis, early diagnosis, preventive interventions, and regional management is critical.

Sustainable bioethanol production by solid-state fermentation: a systematic review.

The escalation of the global population has accelerated the demand for sustainable energy sources such as bioethanol. Traditionally, bioethanol was obtained by the fermentation of sugar from agricultural crops and grains. However, this technique creates serious threats on the global food supplies, thus hindering the commercial production of bioethanol. Therefore, there is a need to develop new technologies and low-cost raw materials in order to ensure that bioethanol is economically comparable to the first generation of bioethanol. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) has been in the limelight within the scientific community because of its efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and promising technology to produce bioethanol. SSF involves the cultivation of microorganisms on a solid substrate in the absence of free-flowing water, which eliminates the need for sugar extraction and reduces wastewater production. This systematic review provides an overview of the applications of SSF in bioethanol production while presenting recent studies and advancements of this technology for producing sustainable and cost-effective bioethanol.

Promoting and spreading peace in Guinea by Arab university graduates

Women constitute slightly more than half of the world's population, and they are the mirror reflecting the growth and progress of societies. The topic of peace is one of the topics that researchers in different languages have been interested in due to the world's suffering from terrorism and violence. Therefore, the role of women is very important in promoting peace in society. Accordingly, we seek to integrate them into achieving tolerance and coexistence and we make great efforts to remove all obstacles that hinder women's participation in various sectors, which would reduce their opportunities. On this basis, we want to show the role of educated women in spreading the culture of peace in Guinea because they have now gained a prestigious position in society and their role in this issue is very important based on the following plan: Introduction: We talk about the specializations that women should be interested in. The first axis is the role of Guinean female graduates in Arab universities in achieving peace and tolerance in Guinean society. The second axis is to present the obstacles facing female graduates in achieving and promoting peace and tolerance In the third and final axis, we mention some of the proposed solutions to overcome these obstacles. In conclusion, we show the most important conclusions of the research

INFLUENCE OF FLUORIDE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND WORKER’S HEALTH – LITERATURE REVIEW

Dental caries is a multifactorial disease that affects a large part of the world's population. Can be prevented by various means and methods, including the use of fluoridated mouthwashes, topical fluoride, fluoridated toothpaste and fluoridation of public water supplies for human consumption. Fluoride has been shown to be a therapeutic agent that modulates dental caries. Frequent contact between patients and small concentrations of fluoride hinders demineralization and activates remineralization, in addition to inhibiting cariogenic microorganisms. The oral health of workers is directly related to the health of the population, since they are part of this context and suffer from the same problems that occur in the environment in which they live. Since workers are the agents who convert work activity into profits for the employer, a detailed and complete vision addressing prevention is extremely important, as this is a way to reduce absenteeism and keep workers in their jobs, achieving better performance of their activities. This bibliographic review aims to analyze fluoride in its various forms and evaluate its anti-cariogenic power for workers, with the aim of preventing cavities and providing well-being, quality of life and greater productivity to them. Based on the data analyzed, it is concluded that fluoride is an effective and inexpensive measure to prevent the appearance of cavities and that due to the large size of Brazil and its socioeconomic difficulties, fluoridated toothpaste associated with assisted brushing, with topical fluoride applications, prove to be the best measures to prevent cavities and absenteeism, consequently improving public health indices. This is one of the most relevant public policies, which is in fact underestimated and which can change the reality of Brazil, reducing high government costs and promoting the quality of life of the population, which suffers from oral problems, which can affect the entire organism, causing a series of other ailments, which should be avoided by adopting preventive measures on a permanent basis.

What Does Green Logistics Bring to the Circular Economy? An Exploratory Study to Connect the Dots

The world population has increased, and consumerist trends have intensified the need for initiatives to minimize industrial activities' environmental and social impacts. Companies and governments are increasingly recognizing the relevance of these initiatives, yet many firms still follow resource extraction models that hinder sustainability efforts. While previous studies have explored the link between green logistics and the circular economy, gaps remain in understanding how these practices can be leveraged to achieve a competitive advantage in different international contexts. This research aims to fill these gaps by exploring the role of green logistics in promoting the circular economy, using a quantitative approach based on Brazilian and Portuguese companies. The study, therefore, focuses on how logistics practices can support the adoption of circular economy initiatives, minimize environmental impacts, and contribute to competitive advantage. The findings from linear regression analysis indicate that green logistics significantly enhances the implementation of circular economy practices, providing both environmental benefits and strategic advantages in the market. This empirical evidence advances the literature by demonstrating that green logistics is not only crucial for circular economy adoption but also for gaining a competitive edge. Our insights are particularly valuable for academia, businesses, and policymakers seeking to promote sustainable practices that are both environmentally responsible and economically viable.

Analysing macroscopic traffic rhythms and city size in affluent cities: insights from a global panel data of 25 cities.

The world is undergoing a rapid process of urbanization. Currently, it is estimated that over 55% of the global population resides in urban areas, a figure projected to reach nearly 70% by 2050. This trend is accompanied by a spatial reorganization of human activities on a global scale, bringing about significant changes in mobility patterns and urban traffic management capabilities. Consequently, it is imperative to evaluate, on a broad scale, how city size influences traffic capacity. This study aims to analyse on-road traffic patterns using a diverse dataset comprising cities of varying population sizes, geographical extents and global locations. Specifically, we conduct an analysis encompassing 25 cities primarily situated in several European countries (France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom), as well as in North America (Canada) and East Asia (Japan and Taiwan). Our findings shed light on how physical aspects related to urban form influence mobility patterns, offering insights for the implementation of more effective and sustainable traffic management policies.This article is part of the theme issue 'Co-creating the future: participatory cities and digital governance'.

Considering Biomarkers of Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's Disease: The Potential of Circulating Cell-Free DNA in Precision Neurology.

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), are a growing public health crisis, exacerbated by an aging global population and the lack of effective early disease-modifying therapies. Early detection of neurodegenerative disorders is critical to delaying symptom onset and mitigating disease progression, but current diagnostic tools often rely on detecting pathology once clinical symptoms have emerged and significant neuronal damage has already occurred. While disease-specific biomarkers, such as amyloid-beta and tau in AD, offer precise insights, they are too limited in scope for broader neurodegeneration screening for these conditions. Conversely, general biomarkers like neurofilament light chain (NfL) provide valuable staging information but lack targeted insights. Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA), released during cell death, is emerging as a promising biomarker for early detection. Derived from dying cells, cfDNA can capture both general neurodegenerative signals and disease-specific insights, offering multi-layered genomic and epigenomic information. Though its clinical potential remains under investigation, advances in cfDNA detection sensitivity, standardized protocols, and reference ranges could establish cfDNA as a valuable tool for early screening. cfDNA methylation signatures, in particular, show great promise for identifying tissue-of-origin and disease-specific changes, offering a minimally invasive biomarker that could transform precision neurology. However, further research is required to address technological challenges and validate cfDNA's utility in clinical settings. Here, we review recent work assessing cfDNA as a potential early biomarker in AD. With continued advances, cfDNA could play a pivotal role in shifting care from reactive to proactive, improving diagnostic timelines and patient outcomes.

Fake News Detection in Hausa Language Using Transfer Learning Method

Fake news poses a significant threat to societies worldwide, including in Hausa-speaking regions, where misinformation is rapidly disseminated via social media. The lack of NLP resources tailored to this language exacerbated the problem of fake news in the Hausa language. While extensive research has been conducted on counterfeit news detection in languages such as English, little attention has been paid to languages like Hausa, leaving a significant portion of the global population vulnerable to misinformation. Traditional machine-learning approaches often fail to perform well in low-resource settings due to insufficient training data and linguistic resources. This study aims to develop a robust model for detecting fake news in the Hausa language by leveraging transfer learning techniques with adaptive fine-tuning. A dataset of over 6,600 news articles, including both fake and truthful articles, was collected from various sources between January 2022 and December 2023. Cross-lingual transfer Learning (XLT) was employed to adapt pre- trained models for the low-resource Hausa language. The model was fine-tuned and evaluated using performance metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, F-score, AUC-ROC, and PR curves. Results demonstrated a high accuracy rate in identifying fake news, with significant improvements in detecting misinformation within political and world news categories. This study addresses the gap in Hausa- language natural language processing (NLP) and contributes to the fight against misinformation in Nigeria. The findings are relevant for developing AI- driven tools to curb fake news dissemination in African languages.

Global burden associated with rare infectious diseases of poverty in 2021: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BackgroundRare infectious diseases of poverty (rIDPs) involve more than hundreds of tropical diseases, which dominantly affect people living in impoverished and marginalized regions and fail to be prioritized in the global health agenda. The neglect of rIDPs could impede the progress toward sustainable development. This study aimed to estimate the disease burden of rIDPs in 2021, which would be pivotal for setting intervention priorities and mobilizing resources globally.MethodsLeveraging data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, the study reported both numbers and age-standardized rates of prevalence, mortality, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), years lived with disability, and years of life lost of rIDPs with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) at global, regional, and national levels. The temporal trends between 1990 and 2021 were assessed by the joinpoint regression analysis. A Bayesian age-period-cohort model was used to project the disease burden for 2050.ResultsIn 2021, there were 103.76 million (95% UI: 102.13, 105.44 million) global population suffered from rIDPs with an age-standardized DALY rate of 58.44 per 100,000 population (95% UI: 42.92, 77.26 per 100,000 population). From 1990 to 2021, the age-standardized DALY rates showed an average annual percentage change of − 0.16% (95% confidence interval: − 0.22, − 0.11%). Higher age-standardized DALY rates were dominated in sub-Saharan Africa (126.35 per 100,000 population, 95% UI: 91.04, 161.73 per 100,000 population), South Asia (80.80 per 100,000 population, 95% UI: 57.31, 114.10 per 100,000 population), and countries with a low socio-demographic index. There was age heterogeneity in the DALY rates of rIDPs, with the population aged under 15 years being the most predominant. Females aged 15–49 years had four-times higher age-standardized DALY rates of rIDPs than males in the same age. The projections indicated a slight reduction in the disease burden of rIDPs by 2050.ConclusionsThere has been a slight reduction in the disease burden of rIDPs over the past three decades. Given that rIDPs mainly affect populations in impoverished regions, targeted health strategies and resource allocation are in great demand for these populations to further control rIDPs and end poverty in all its forms everywhere.Graphical

Obsessive-compulsive disorder, major depressive disorder, and addiction: the vicious relationship.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) are prevalent psychiatric conditions, each affecting a substantial portion of the global population. When these conditions coexist with a Substance Use Disorder (SUD), the complexity of the clinical presentation is heightened. Herein, we describe two cases of individuals who have comorbid OCD and/or MDD and substance use disorder that highlight the importance of addressing the coexisting psychiatric illness when treating the SUD. These cases highlight the importance of tailored, multidisciplinary care, offering a potential therapeutic strategy based on medications for comprehensive recovery in individuals facing complex comorbid disorders. An integrated treatment approach, encompassing both psychiatric and substance treatment perspectives, is imperative.

Genomic sequencing and neutralizing serological profiles during acute dengue infection: A 2017 cohort study in Nepal.

Dengue virus (DENV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that poses a threat to nearly 50% of the global population. DENV has been endemic in Nepal since 2006; however, little is known about how DENV is evolving or the prevalence of anti-DENV immunity within the Nepalese population. To begin to address these gaps, we performed a serologic and genetic study of 49 patients from across Nepal who presented at central hospitals during the 2017 dengue season with suspected DENV infection. Of the 49 subjects assessed, 21 (43%) were positive for DENV NS1 antigen; of these; 5 were also anti-DENV IgM+ IgG+; 7 were DENV IgM+ IgG-, 2 were IgM- IgG+, and 7 were IgM-IgG- by specific ELISAs. Seven of the 21 NS1 positive sera were RNA positive by RT-PCR (six DENV2, one DENV3), suggesting that DENV2 was the dominant serotype in our cohort. Whole-genome sequencing of two DENV2 isolates showed similarity with strains circulating in Singapore in 2016, and the envelope genes were also similar to strains circulating in India in 2017. DENV-neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) were present in 31 of 47 sera tested (66%); among these, 20, 24, 26, and 12 sera contained nAbs against DENV1, 2, 3, and 4 serotypes, respectively. Additionally, 27 (58%) samples had nAbs against multiple serotypes (2 or more). Serology analysis suggested that 12 (26%) and 19 (40%) of the 47 subjects were experiencing primary and secondary DENV infections, respectively. Collectively, our results provide evidence for current and/or past exposure to multiple DENV serotypes in our cohort. These data suggest that expanded local surveillance of circulating DENV genotypes and population immunity will be important to effectively manage and mitigate future dengue outbreaks in Nepal.

Translation and Adaptation of the STOPP/START Criteria Version 3 for Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing in Older People to European Portuguese: A Study Protocol.

As the global population ages, managing medication use in older adults becomes increasingly complex due to polypharmacy and the associated risks of adverse drug events. To improve the safety and appropriateness of medication use in the older population, tools like the Screening Tool of Older Persons' Prescriptions (STOPP) and Screening Tool to Alert doctors to Right Treatment (START) criteria have been developed. The availability of updated criteria is crucial to better support healthcare professionals in Portuguese-speaking regions. The aim of this study is to translate and validate the STOPP/START version 3 criteria for Portuguese, providing an updated and useful tool for healthcare professionals. This study will be conducted through four phases: I) translation of the STOPP/START version 3 criteria to European Portuguese; II) collection of sociodemographic, clinical, and medication data; III) intrarater reliability study; and IV) interrater agreement study. This study obtained ethics approval by the Ethics Committee of the Administração Regional de Saúde do Centro, Portugal. The availability of the translated criteria will enable the integration of STOPP/START version 3 into clinical practice in Portugal, facilitating improved medication safety and appropriateness. This integration is expected to lead to better management of polypharmacy and a reduction in adverse drug events, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and supporting evidence-based prescribing practices.

Unveiling factors influencing choice of clean cooking solutions among households: a systematic review of literature

Nearly half of the global population rely on solid polluting fuels such as firewood, charcoal, animal and plant wastes for cooking. Continued reliance on such fuels and technologies has severe negative health, environmental, and development impacts. Using a systematic literature review methodology, this study sought to unveil factors influencing choice of clean cooking solutions among households. This study adopted a systematically literature review approach to systematically identify, evaluate and synthesize articles in the field of clean cooking solutions. Systematic literature review is a rigorous and replicable methodology that is designed to identify, appraise and synthesize already existing literature on specific question or sub questions. In this study, the procedures suggested by Liberati et al. and Moher et al. based on preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) approach. Seventy-four articles were synthesized and many factors influencing the choice of cooking solutions were identified alongside the existing gaps.

About Distress in Chronic Pain Conditions: A Pre-Post Study on the Effectiveness of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Fibromyalgia and Low Back Pain Patients.

Chronic pain (CP) affects about 30% of the global population and poses significant challenges to individuals and healthcare systems worldwide. The interactions between physiological, psychological, and social factors are crucial in the onset and development of CP conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based intervention, examining its impact on perceived stress (PSS), depression and anxiety (BDI-II, PGWBI/DEP, SAS, STAI Y), sleep quality (PSQI), and mindfulness abilities (MAAS) in individuals with CP. Participants (N = 89, 84.3% female) underwent one of two diagnoses [fibromyalgia (FM) or low back pain (LBP)] and took part in an MBSR intervention. The mindfulness program proved effective in reducing PSQI scores (F = 11.97; p < 0.01) over time, independently of the type of diagnosis. There was also a marginal increase in trait mindfulness as measured by MAAS (F = 3.25; p = 0.07) in both groups. A significant difference between the two groups was found for the effect on PSS: F (1,87) = 6.46; p < 0.05. Mindfulness practice also reduced anxiety in FM and depressive symptoms in LBP, indicating a reduction in psychological distress among participants. Our findings suggest that mindfulness-based interventions may offer promising avenues for personalized pain management in clinical settings.

Climate change, global population and the capitalist axiomatic: making sense of Malthus

ABSTRACT This paper critiques the neo-Malthusian proposition that drastic global population reduction is essential to counteract the current climate emergency. It applies a new materialist, rhizomatic and more-than-human ontology of capitalism based Deleuze and Guattari’s analysis of the ‘capitalist axiomatic’: the free flows of commodities, capital and labour characteristic of capitalist production. Three sections address these rhizomatic flows, considering ‘extractive capitalism’, economic growth, and population growth through this DeleuzoGuattarian lens. The paper concludes, contra Malthus, that while growth in the global human population is placing strain on the environmental capacity to support it, it is the complex, rhizomatic interactions within the capitalist axiomatic that are producing anthropogenic climate change. Remedies short of a wholesale global shift from a capitalist economy are proposed to address this global crisis.

ANÁLISE DA PREVALÊNCIA DE ANEMIA FERROPRIVA NA PRIMEIRA INFÂNCIA

Among the anemias, iron deficiency anemia is the most frequent. It affects about one third of the world's population, a public health problem of all socioeconomic classes. They directly affect the growth and mental development of children. The aim was to identify the prevalence of anemia in early childhood in Presidente Prudente-SP. Cross-sectional, retrospective study over a one-year period. The regions with the highest prevalence of anemia were the north-central and east, with no correlation with income. Regions with the lowest prevalence of anemia were the south-central region, with the highest purchasing power, the northwest and south regions, where the professional investigates the iron balance more. The gateway for the diagnosis of anemia was the Emergency and Emergency services. It is concluded that combating anemia requires mobilizing three essential pillars: professional assistance, encouragement from professionals for adherence by caregivers, and family health education. CAAE Protocol: 53905221.3.0000.5515.

Abstract 4126262: The impact of angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors on the elderly population with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction: data from the real world

Heart failure (HF) remains a disease of increasing prevalence and morbidity. Validation of new lines of therapy in the elderly are required due to the progressive ageing of the world's population and scarce evidence in elderly patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The purpose of our study is to analyse the effect of Angiotensin Receptor–Neprilysin Inhibitors (ARNI) in this subgroup of patients. We conducted a single-centre, real-world observational study. We consecutively enrolled all patients aged ≥75 years diagnosed with HFrEF (defined as an ejection fraction &lt;40%) and theorical indication for treatment with ARNI from November 2019 to January 2021. The main outcomes analysed were all cause mortality and admission due to HF. In order to avoid potential confounding factors, we performed a propensity-score (PS) matched analysis. Patients matching was performed in a 1:1 ratio with the nearest neighbour method. A total of 364 patients were recruited (total population). The mean age was 84.1 years of which 67% were male. 81% were hypertensive and 33.5% diabetic. The main cause of ventricular dysfunction was ischemic with 50.2%. At inclusion 55.8% were in NYHA functional class II and the mean LVEF was 29.8%. After PS matching, we selected 184 patients (study population), 92 with ARNI. As compared with non ARNI group, the ARNI patients showed higher use of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) (59.8% vs 43.5%, p&lt; 0.05) and SGLT2 inhibitors (40.2% vs 6%, p&lt;0.05). Other treatments were otherwise similar in both groups. There were not significant differences in relation with age, etiology or comorbidities between ARNI group and non-ARNI group. During a median follow-up of 39 months, total mortality was 31.5% (58 patients). After a Cox logistic regression analysis, ARNI therapy was shown to be an independent protective variable with respect to total mortality [HR 0.6 (0.4-1), p 0.05]. The figure shows the Kaplan-Meier survival curves for total mortality in patients with and without ARNI treatment. In summary, treatment of HFrEF remains a significant challenge in managing HF patients, especially in the elderly. According to our data, treatment with ARNI in elderly patients with HFrEF was associated with a lower rate of all-cause mortality. Our data show us that ARNI therapy could improve prognosis in the elderly with HFrEF in a real-world study.

Nitrifying bacteria for the remediation of organic nitrogen‐contaminated waters: a review

AbstractThe rapid growth of the world's population and its environmental impact has increased the demand for effective water treatment methods. Surface water systems, including rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds, have suffered contamination, leading to the urgent need for effective contaminant removal. Organic nitrogen compounds and nitrates are of particular concern because they pose risks to health and can cause environmental damage. However, traditional water‐treatment methods often prove ineffective for addressing these issues. For this reason, this research focuses on harnessing the capabilities of nitrifying bacteria to denitrify organic nitrogen compounds in water, exploring various bacterial strains, their functions, and their ability to obtain sources of carbon. The study also investigates innovative approaches such as biofilm systems, mixed cultures, and combined processes, which have shown stronger potential for nitrogen removal. Overall, it provides valuable insights into the use of nitrifying bacteria‐based technologies for water remediation in the face of growing environmental challenges.

Effect of Life Expectancy on Economy Growth for High-Income Nations

The global age distribution has undergone substantial changes in recent years due to a rise in life expectancy. Based on projections, the global population of those aged 60 and beyond is expected to reach 2 billion by 2050, representing almost 25% of the total population. By the year 2050, it is expected that the proportion of adults aged 80 years and older will rise by 1% to 4% of the global population. Because of this trend, economic growth may be hampered. The growing reliance on elderly people results in an increase in taxation, while political pressures may cause public funding to be redirected to adult social care. If this option is made, it could be detrimental to both growth and investment. The present study uses panel data from high-income countries to determine if life expectancy is a favorable predictor of economic growth using Granger causality and panel regression. The Hausman test was used to evaluate pooled, random, and fixed effect models in order to determine which model was the most appropriate. Based on the results, the fixed effect model tends to perform better, as indicated by the p-value being less than 0.05. Furthermore, the findings convey that life expectancy has a negative impact on economic growth.

Abstract 4117927: Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Among Consecutive Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Using WatchPAT Home Sleep Testing: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice and is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and health system costs. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent condition affecting more than one third of the global adult population and, among patients with comorbid AF, contributes to poor AF related quality of life. However, the prevalence of undiagnosed OSA in the general AF population is unknown. Methods: In this pragmatic, phase IV prospective cohort study, we performed sleep testing on consecutively enrolled ambulatory AF patients for OSA using a cloud-based disposable home sleep test (the WatchPAT system). The primary outcome of our study was the prevalence of undiagnosed mild (5≤AHI&lt;15) or moderate/severe (AHI≥15) OSA in the general AF population. A prespecified power analysis supports 80% power to detect a &lt;5% difference in OSA prevalence compared to the general population (defined by AHI cut-offs of ≥5 or ≥15). Results: We performed sleep testing in 180 AF patients. Enrollment concluded early after a prespecified interim power analysis showed a larger than predicted difference of OSA prevalence between AF patients and the general population. Among the patients tested, 126 (70.4%) had paroxysmal AF, and 53 (29.6%) had persistent/long standing persistent AF. None had previous sleep testing. Our results show that the prevalence of OSA was 83.3% by AHI≥5 and 47.2% had moderate/severe OSA (AHI≥15). Patients with persistent or long standing persistent AF demonstrated even higher rates of OSA with 51 (96.3%) testing positive for OSA (AHI≥5) and 35 (64.2%) with moderate/severe OSA (AHI≥15). Conversely, standardized OSA screening instruments (Stop-BANG questionnaire or Epworth Sleepiness Scale) were poorly predictive of OSA in AF patients (AUC 0.66 and AUC 0.44, respectively). Conclusions: Undiagnosed OSA is highly prevalent in the general AF population. Our results demonstrate that OSA prevalence in AF patients exceeds that in the general population with a high degree of confidence. Widely used clinical prediction instruments cannot effectively be used to guide sleep testing decisions in AF patients. Our results suggest routine OSA testing should be performed in the comprehensive evaluation of all AF patients.