J. Gehring et al., CARDIOVASCULAR RISK-FACTORS, ECG ABNORMAL ITIES AND QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN SUBJECTS WITH ATRIAL-FIBRILLATION, Sozial- und Praventivmedizin, 41(3), 1996, pp. 185-193
In Central European regions epidemiologic findings for atrial fibrilla
tion (AF) in a randomly selected population are not available. Therefo
re, information obtained by a standardized examination procedure inclu
ding resting 12 lead ECG of 4003 participants (2014 men, 1989 women),
aged 25 to 64 years, of the MONICA-Augsburg Survey 1984/85 were analys
ed. Reexamination of 3753 subjects took place three years later (Follo
w-up Study 1987/88). Persons with AF in the base-line survey (n = 13)
were compared with an age-and sex-matched control group (n = 156) with
out AF, chosen from the same population sample, with regard to cardiov
ascular risk factors, associated diseases and disturbances in the subj
ects' general well-being. In 1984/85 thirteen cases with AF (6 males,
7 females) were observed, giving an age-standardized prevalence of AF
in males of 0.22% and in females of 0.34%. The age of men with AF rang
ed between 50 and 63 years and of women between 61 and 64 years. No si
gnificant differences were observed in persons with AF compared to the
control group in risk factor levels and alcohol consumption; however;
significant differences could be seen concerning disturbances in qual
ity of life like self-reported health status (p < 0.001), sleep distur
bances (p < 0.05), antihypertensive medication (p < 0.001). AF cases w
ere found to have further ECG abnormalities significantly more often (
left anterior hemiblock: p < 0.05; ventricular premature beats, p < 0.
05). In all subjects with AF in the initial examination 1984/85 AF was
found three years later (chronic AF). Overall 13 new cases (7 men, 6
women) were identified in the 1987/88 follow-up. The prevalence of AF
in a South German population is comparable with AF prevalences reporte
d from studies in other populations (e.g.) Framingham 1950, Reykjavik
1967/70). Associated ECG abnormalities were found more frequently in s
ubjects with AF. Cases with AF have considerable disturbances in their
general well-being.