J Korean Geriatr Soc.  2016 Mar;20(1):29-35. 10.4235/jkgs.2016.20.1.29.

Prevalence of Atrial Fibrillation in the Elderly in Korea

• Eun JN
• Cho JG
• Kim SS
• Park HW
• Lee KH
• Yoon NS
• Kim JY
• Won JM
• Shin MH
• Shin JH

• KMID: 2161207
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4235/jkgs.2016.20.1.29

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia particularly in the elderly and a potent risk factor for ischemic stroke. Screening for AF in asymptomatic individuals might prevent strokes by earlier detection and anticoagulation therapy. We investigated the prevalence of AF in the Korean elderly and its clinical characteristics.
METHODS
This study included 1,483 participants (839 males, 644 females) ≥60 years (72.9±5.4 years) who had undergone electrocardiogram (ECG) screening at the senior health promotion center, Gwangju, from March 2014 to June 2014. Their assessments included 12 lead electrocardiograms, questionnaires and physical examinations.
RESULTS
AF was detected in 46 individuals (3.1%), and newly detected in 20 of these 46 (43.4%). The prevalence of AF increased sharply with age-1.0% in 60-69 years group, 3.3% in 70-79 years group, and 7.2% in ≥80 years group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR], 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.17; p<0.001), male gender (OR 5.28, 95% CI 2.04-13.66; p=0.001), obesity (body mass index>25kg/m2) (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.14-4.11; p=0.017), and heart failure (OR, 8.74; 95% CI, 1.45-52.46, p=0.018) were associated with increased risk for AF.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of AF in the Korean elderly was 3.1% and increased steeply with age from 1.0% to 7.2%. Screening with ECG may be considered as nearly half (43.4%) of AF cases were newly detected.

Keyword

Atrial fibrillation; Epidemiology; Korea

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Arrhythmias, Cardiac
Atrial Fibrillation*
Electrocardiography
Epidemiology
Gwangju
Health Promotion
Heart Failure
Humans
Korea*
Logistic Models
Male
Mass Screening
Obesity
Physical Examination
Prevalence*
Risk Factors
Stroke