ATRIAL-FIBRILLATION AMONGST THE INDO-ASIAN GENERAL-PRACTICE POPULATION THE WEST BIRMINGHAM ATRIAL-FIBRILLATION PROJECT

Whilst there are recognised ethnic differences in cardiovascular disea se, with a higher prevalence of hypertension and complications such as stroke amongst black/Afro-Caribbean populations, and ischaemic heart disease being more prevalent amongst Indo-Asians, the literature descr ibing the clinical epidemiology of atrial fibrillation (AF) in non-cau casian groups is scarce. To survey the clinical features and managemen t amongst Indo-Asian patients with known AF, we studied patients from six general practices in the west of Birmingham. The six general pract ices had a combined practice population of 25 051, from which, the Ind o-Asian population was 14 670. A total of 12 Indo-Asian patients (six male, six female; mean age, 67 years; range, 42 to 95 years) with know n AF were identified, suggesting a prevalence of AF in Indo-Asians age d >50 years of 0.6%. Six patients had chronic AF, two had recent onset (defined as onset <six months) and four had paroxysmal AF. Five patie nts had a history of ischaemic heart disease, three had hypertension, seven had heart failure, two had alcohol excess, four had mitral valve disease, and one patient with paroxysmal AF had sick sinus syndrome. None could be classified as having lone AF. Only four patients were an ticoagulated, but, of the remaining eight, who were not taking warfari n, six were taking aspirin. None of the patients had contraindications to warfarin, but one of the patients who was taking aspirin had poor compliance to warfarin. In this survey of a general practice Indo-Asia n population of approximately 14 670, we found 12 patients with known AF. More information on the clinical epidemiology of AF in non-caucasi an groups is still needed and urgently required, in view of the public health implications of this common cardiac arrhythmia. (C) 1998 Elsev ier Science Ireland Ltd.