title: Prevalence and Risk Factors of Atrial Fibrillation in Chinese Elderly: Results from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasing as the world ages. AF is associated with higher risk of mortality and disease, including stroke, hypertension, heart failure, and dementia. Prevalence of AF differs with each population studied, and research on non-Western populations and the oldest old is scarce.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used data from the 2012 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, a community-based study in eight longevity areas in China, to estimate AF prevalence in an elderly Chinese population (n = 1418, mean age = 85.6 years) and to identify risk factors. We determined the presence of AF in our participants using single-lead electrocardiograms. The weighted prevalence of AF was estimated in subjects stratified according to age groups (65-74, 75-84, 85-94, 95 years and above) and gender. We used logistic regressions to determine the potential risk factors of AF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of AF was 3.5%; 2.4% of men and 4.5% of women had AF (P < 0.05). AF was associated with weight extremes of being underweight or overweight/obese. Finally, advanced age (85-94 years), history of stroke or heart disease, low high-density lipoprotein levels, low triglyceride levels, and lack of regular physical activity were associated with AF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In urban elderly, AF prevalence increased with age (P < 0.05), and in rural elderly, women had higher AF prevalence (P < 0.05). Further exploration of population-specific risk factors is needed to address the AF epidemic.
authors.forename: Choy-Lye
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chei
authors.forename: Prassanna
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Raman
authors.forename: Chi Keong
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Ching
authors.forename: Zhao-Xue
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Xiao-Ming
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development and the Geriatric Division of School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Center for Study of Healthy Aging and Development Studies, National School of Development, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China, .
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.affiliation: Health Services and Systems Research, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore, Singapore; Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development and the Geriatric Division of School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Medicine and Center for Clinical Health Policy Research, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA, .
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Matchar
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors