The prevalence survey and influential factors of atrial fibrillation in Taiyuan

Abstract

Objective To investigate the current epidemiological characteristics and relevant factors of atrial fibrillation ({AF)} in Taiyuan, and the relationship between uric acid and {AF.} Methods Using the method of cluster sampling, 9309 permanent residents over the age of 20 were selected from 6 community committees in Taiyuan, the authors performed a cardiovascular epidemiological investigation of {AF} and analysis of these data. Results The total prevalence rate of {AF} was 0.90%, 1% in men and 0.86% in women, and there was an increasing trend with increase in age. Among the {AF} cases, non-valvular was significantly higher than valvular and idiopathic {AF}, (72.10%, 11.63%, 16.28%, p {\textless}0.05). Compared with paroxysmal {AF} and chronic {AF}, the usage of (beta)-blockers and aspirin in the former is more than the latter, but digitalis and warfarin is the opposite. The rate of four medicines in all patients of {AF} were: warfarin 26.1%, aspirin 41.7%, digitalis 48.7%, (beta)-blockers 28.5%. The prevalence of stroke in patients with {AF} was significantly higher than non-{AF} group (10.7%, 2.1%, p {\textless}0.01). The prevalence of stroke in patients with {AF} who received anticoagulant therapy was lower than the group who did not receive the therapy (4.1%, 20.0%, p{\textless}0.05). The relevant factors which had statistical significance (p {\textless}0.05) in univariate analysis used multivariate logistic regression analysis and the results showed that age, the history of hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart failure and valvular disease, smoking, obesity and uric acid, all the above associated with prevalence rate of {AF} of {OR} values were 1.076, 1.700, 2.703, 3.067, 16.114, 1.084, 1.698 and 1.068, respectively. Conclusion The prevalence rate of {AF} in Taiyuan was high while the treatment of {AF} in the region was low. Thus, measures should be taken to strengthen the control of {AF} in the region. In addition to the known major risk factors such as age and history cardiovascular disease, it is concluded that uric acid may also be a new risk factor for {AF.}