Strikingly low prevalence of atrial fibrillation in elderly Tanzanians.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in individuals aged 70 and older in a rural African community.


METHODS
Community-based cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
A demographic surveillance site (DSS) within the rural Hai district of northern Tanzania.


METHODS
Approximately one-quarter (N = 2,232) of the population aged 70 and older of the DSS.


METHODS
Participants were screened for AF using 12-lead electrocardiography; demographic and 1-year mortality data were collected; and functional status, body mass index, and blood pressure were recorded. The sex-specific prevalence of AF in each 5-year age band was determined.


RESULTS
Fifteen of 2,232 participants (12 women, 3 men) had AF, giving a crude prevalence rate of 0.67% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.33-1.01) and an age-adjusted prevalence of 0.64% (95% CI = 0.31-0.97). Prevalence was 0.96% (95% CI = 0.42-1.49) in women and 0.31% (95% CI = -0.04 to 1.24) in men. Prevalence increased with age, from 0.46% (95% CI = 0.01-0.90) in those aged 70-74-1.30% (95% CI = 0.17-2.42) in those aged 85 and older. One-year mortality was 50% in women and 66.6% in men.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first published community-based AF prevalence study from sub-Saharan Africa. The prevalence rate of AF is strikingly lower than in other elderly populations studied, yet the 1-year mortality rate was exceedingly high.
Northumbria Healthcare National Health Service Foundation Trust, North Tyneside General Hospital, North Shields, United Kingdom. Dewey@doctors.org.uk
Matthew J
MJ
Dewhurst
Philip C
PC
Adams
William K
WK
Gray
Felicity
F
Dewhurst
Golda P
GP
Orega
Paul
P
Chaote
Richard W
RW
Walker
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology