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01-12-2022 | Obesity | Research article

Elevated levels of body mass index and waist circumference, but not high variability, are associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation

Authors: Maoxiang Zhao, Lulu Song, Qianqian Zhao, Yating Chen, Bin Li, Zhonghui Xie, Zihao Fu, Nan Zhang, Xiaowei Cheng, Xiaoqian Li, Miao Wang, Shouling Wu, Hao Xue, Yang Li

Published in: BMC Medicine | Issue 1/2022

Abstract

Background

Although obesity has been associated with risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), the associations of variability of obesity measures with AF risk are uncertain, and longitudinal studies among Chinese population are still lacking. We aimed to evaluate the impacts of obesity and variability of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) on the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in a large Chinese cohort study.

Methods

A total of 44,135 participants of the Kailuan Study who were free of cancer and cardiovascular disease and underwent three consecutive surveys from 2006 to 2010 were followed for incident AF until 2020. Average BMI and WC over time and variability were calculated. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations of obesity and variability in BMI and WC with AF risk.

Results

During a mean follow-up of 9.68 years, there were 410 cases of incident AF. In multivariable-adjusted models, compared with normal BMI/WC, individuals with general obesity and abdominal obesity had increased risk of AF, with corresponding HRs of 1.73 (95% CI: 1.31–2.30) and 1.38 (95% CI: 1.11–1.60), respectively. The short-term elevation in AF risk persisted for the obese even after adjustment for updated biologic intermediaries and weight. Variability in BMI and WC were not associated with the risk of AF. The restricted cubic spline models indicated significant linear relationships between levels of WC and BMI and risk of AF.

Conclusions

Elevated levels of BMI and WC were associated with an increased risk of AF, whereas variability in BMI and WC were not. Therefore, achieving optimal levels of BMI and WC could be valuable in AF prevention.

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Title: Elevated levels of body mass index and waist circumference, but not high variability, are associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Maoxiang Zhao
Lulu Song
Qianqian Zhao
Yating Chen
Bin Li
Zhonghui Xie
Zihao Fu
Nan Zhang
Xiaowei Cheng
Xiaoqian Li
Miao Wang
Shouling Wu
Hao Xue
Yang Li
Publication date: 01-12-2022
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Obesity
Obesity
Atrial Fibrillation
Published in: BMC Medicine / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1741-7015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-022-02413-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Elevated levels of body mass index and waist circumference, but not high variability, are associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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