Association between hyperuricemia and atrial fibrillation in rural China: a cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
To explore the association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and serum uric acid (SUA) in a general population in rural China.


METHODS
From January 2013 to August 2013, we performed a cross-sectional study involving 11,956 permanent residents ≥ 35 years old in the rural Liaoning province of China. All participants completed a questionnaire, had a physical examination, and underwent an electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram. AF was diagnosed from ECG findings and/or a history of physician-confirmed AF. Blood samples were drawn for laboratory analyses and hyperuricemia was defined as an SUA level > 7.0 mg/dL in men and > 5.7 mg/dL in women, based on the NHANES-III laboratory definition. Logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the crude and independent associations between hyperuricemia and the prevalence of AF.


RESULTS
A total of 139 participants were diagnosed with AF, of which, 72 were self-reported, 45 were ECG-diagnosed, and 22 were both. There was a higher prevalence of AF in participants with hyperuricemia than those with normal SUA levels (2.4 vs. 1.0 %; P < 0.001). The odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were 2.37 (1.61-3.49) when compared to participants with normal SUA. After adjustment for other cardiovascular and AF risk factors, the independent association remained (OR = 1.94, 95 % CI: 1.26-3.00). Similar associations were observed between SUA as a continuous variable and AF prevalence (adjusted OR = 1.20, 95 % CI: 1.06-1.36). The independent associations were significant in men (Ps < 0.05) but not in women (Ps > 0.05), although the interaction logistic regression analyses presented these differences as not being statistically significant (Ps > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
SUA is positively associated with the prevalence of AF in rural China.
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing Street, Heping, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China. gzhsun66@163.com.
Guo-Zhe
GZ
Sun
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing Street, Heping, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China. cmu1h_gl@126.com.
Liang
L
Guo
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing Street, Heping, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China. cmu_wj@126.com.
Jun
J
Wang
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing Street, Heping, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China. 653984551@qq.com.
Ning
N
Ye
Heart Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, 90048, CA, USA. Xunzhang.Wang@cshs.org.
Xun-Zhang
XZ
Wang
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing Street, Heping, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China. cmu1h_syx@126.com.
Ying-Xian
YX
Sun
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033461:Hyperuricemia / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012737:Sex Factors