title: Effect of obesity on p-wave parameters in a Chinese population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the association between obesity and P-wave duration and dispersion (P(d)) in order to evaluate the potential risk for atrial fibrillation development in Chinese subjects using the definitions applied for Asian populations.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population consisted of 40 obese (body mass index (BMI) > or = 25 Kg/m(2), according to the World Health Organization classification for the Asian population) subjects and 20 age- and sex-matched normal weight controls. Maximum P-wave duration (P(max)), minimum P-wave duration (P(min)), and P(d) were carefully measured using a 12-lead electrocardiogram, while the presence of interatrial block (IAB; P > or = 110 ms) was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding age, sex, history of hypertension or diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Compared to controls, BMI, left atrial diameter (LAD), and interventricular septal thickness were increased, while P(max) (111.9 +/- 9.3 vs 101.1 +/- 6.0 ms, P < 0.01) and P(d) (47.9 +/- 9.3 vs 31.8 +/- 6.9 ms, P < 0.01) were significantly prolonged in the obese group. P(min) was similar between the two groups. The prevalence of IAB was significantly greater in the obese subjects. Pearson's correlation analysis showed that there were positive correlations between P(d) and BMI (r = 0.6, P < 0.001), as well as between P(d) and LAD (r = 0.366, P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that obesity is associated with increased P(max) and P(d), and increased prevalence of IAB, parameters that have been associated with atrial fibrillation. The correlation of these electrocardiogram parameters with LAD indicates an association between increased BMI and atrial remodeling in Asian subjects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Institute of Cardiology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Tong
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zili
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Korantzopoulos
authors.forename: Xiaowei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Shaohua
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Guangping
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors